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Elements  of  W  /^ 
Trench  Warfare 


Waldron 


Elements  of  ' 
Trench  Warfare 


Bayonet  Training 

By 

Lieut.  Colonel  William  H.  Waldron 

29th  U.  S.  Infantry 

DISTINGUISHED  GRADUATE  INFANTRY  AND 
CAVALRY  SCHOOL,  1905" 
GRADUATE  ARMY  STAFF   COLLEGE,  1906 
GRADUATE  ARMY  WAR  COLLEGE,  1911 
ASSISTANT  DIRECTOR  ARMY  WAR 
COLLEGE  COURSE,  1911-12 

)    f  Author  of 

"Scouting  and  Patrolling" 
"Tactical  Walks" 

PUBLISHED  BY 

EDWIN  N.  APPLETON 
1  Broadway,  New  York 
1917 

Price  75  Cents,  postage  paid 


Copyright,  1917,  by 
WiLUAM  H.  Waldrok 


First  Edition,  5,000,  March  1st,  1917. 
Second  Edition,  10,000,  August  1st,  1917. 
Third  Edition,  30,000,  September  2Sth,  1917. 


PRESS  OF  ISAAC  GOIvDMANN  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK 


NOTICE 

There  is  a  wealth  of  material  in  this  little  book 
that  will  interest  the  soldier.  From  the  illus- 
trations alone  he  will  be  able  to  obtain  a  good 
general  idea  of  the  subject. 

It  is  essentially  a  soldier's  book,  written  in 
language  that  he  can  understand.  The  price 
has  been  kept  within  the  limits  of  his  pocketbook. 

With  a  view  to  securing  a  wide  distribution  of 
the  book  I  desire  to  secure  a  representative  in 
every  organization  in  the  Army.  I  have  an  at- 
tractive proposition  to  make  to  competent  parties. 

A  letter  will  bring  particulars.  My  address 
will  be  found  in  the  Army  List  and  Directory. 
If  this  is  not  available,  a  letter  addressed  as 
follows  will  be  forwarded  to  me : 

Captain  W.  H.  Waldron, 
29th  Infantry, 
Care  of  "Infantry  Journal," 
Washington,  D.  C. 

(Signed)  W.  H.  Waldron. 


5 


CONTENTS 

Page 

Chapter  I. — The  Organization  of  a  Section  of  the 

Position    9 

Chapter  II. — Obstacles.     Construction,  repair.  Wire 
entanglements,   barricades,   land  mines,  inunda- 
.   tion    13 

Chapter  III. — Lookout  and  Listening  Posts:  Types. 

Construction,  service    27 

Chapter   IV. — Field   Trenches:    Traversed  trenches. 
Types  of  trenches.     Drainage.  Communication 
trenches.     Dugouts.     Penetration  of  projectiles.  . 
Communication.    Trench  mortar  positions.  Ma- 
chine guns.     Supporting  points   33 

Chapter  V. — ^Use  and  Improvement  of  Natural  Cover  60 

Chapter     VI. —  Revetments:     Sandbags.  Fascines. 

Hurdles.    Gabions   74 

Chapter^  VII. — Working  Parties:  Details  of  organ- 
ization.   Laying  out  tasks.    Operations   90 

Chapter  VIII. — Grenade  Warfare :  Organization  and 
tactics  of  grenadiers.  Offensive  operations. 
Clearing  fire  trenches.  Clearing  communication 
trenches.  Night  operations.  Grenade  patrols. 
Notes  on  grenade  warfare   97 

Chapter  IX. — Gas  Warfare:  Methods  of  dissemina- 
tion of  gas.  Gas  helmets,  care  and  use  of. 
Sprayers    118 

Chapter  X. — Service  in  the  Trenches:  Preparations 
for  entering.  Inspection  of  trenches.  Tactical 
dispositions.  Going  into  the  trenches.  Informa- 
tion routine.  Observation  field  glasses.  Snip- 
ers. What  to  fire  at.  Use  of  rifle  grenades. 
Scouting  and  patrolling.  Care  of  arms.  Care  of 
trenches.  Latrines.  Maps.  Frost  bite.  The 
trench  soldier's  creed   128 

Chapter  XL— The  Attack  in  Trench  Warfare   162 

BAYONET  TRAINING 

Features  of  the  Bayonet   175 

Method   of   Carrying   out   Bayonet   Training  and 
Hints  to  Instruction   177 

6 


CONTENTS  7 

♦ 

BAYONET  LESSONS  Page 

Formation — Technique  of  Instruction   180 

Lesson  No.  1 — 

Position  of  "Guard"   118 

"Rest"    184 

"       "    "High  Port"    184 

"    "Long  Point"    184 

The  "Withdrawal"  After  a  Long  Point   189 

PROGRESSION 

Vulnerable  Parts  of  the  Body   1^0 

Lesson  No.  2— "The  Parries"   192 

PRACTICE    194 

Lesson  No.  3— "The  Short  Point"   193 

Lesson  No.  4— "The  Jab  or  Upward  Point"   197 

METHOD  OF  INJURING  AN  OPPONENT 

Butt  Strike  1   200 

"     //   200 

"     III     ...  200 

"        "     IV   202 

Practice    202 

TACTICAL  APPLICATION  OF  THE  BAYONET..  203 

THE  BAYONET  ASSAULT   203 

METHOD   OF   CARRYING  THE   RIFLE  WITH 

BAYONET  FIXED    205 

TEAMWORK    206 

THE  ADVANCE   206 

THE  CHARGE   206 

ASSAULT  PRACTICE   208 

FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE   209 

ACCESSORIES    211 

TARGETS    215 

CONSTRUCTION  OF  GALLOWS   216 

"     DUMMIES    217 

"     "TURK'S  HEAD"    218 

"     PARRYING  DUMMY 

TARGET    218 

DISCS  ON  TARGETS   218 

EXERCISES 

Exercise  1    221 

The  Run   ;   222 

Exercise  2    223 


INTRODUCTION 

This  little  book  has  been  prepared  with  a 
view  to  placing  before  the  soldier  a  store 
of  information  on  the  subject  of  Trench 
Warfare  as  it  has  been  developed  on  the 
battle  fronts  of  Europe,  and  giving  him 
some  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  service  that 
he  will  be  called  upon  to  perform  when  the 
time  arrives  for  him  to  do  his  ''bit." 

The  illustrations  have  been  carefully  pre- 
pared and  arranged  to  the  end  that  the  sol- 
dier may  gain  a  fair  knowledge  of  the 
subject  from  them  alone.  The  text  is  in- 
tended to  to  treat  the  subject  in  a  purely 
elementary  manner  that  the  soldier  may  be 
able  to  understand. 

The  size  of  the  book  is  such  that  it  may 
be  conveniently  carried  in  the  pocket  and 
referred  to  as  occasion  requires.  The  price 
has  been  kept  down  to  the  point  where  it  is 
available  to  the  soldier.  * 

If  the  book  assists  in  his  preparation  for 
the  front  and,  by  reason  of  the  knowledge 
that  he  has  gained  from  it,  helps  to  make 
him  more  efficient  when  he  gets  there,  it 
will  have  served  its  purpose. 

The  Author. 


Chapter  I 


ORGANIZATION 

The  normal  organization  of  an  intrenched 
position  includes  the  following  elements 
from  front  to  rear: 

1.  In  front  of  the  position  and  at  a  vari- 
able distance  from  the  first  line  fire  trench 
there  is  a  line  of  wire  entanglements.  (See 
Obstacles,  p.  13). 

2.  Close  up  to  the  wire  entanglements 
there  is  an  intrenched  post  known  as  the 
'listening  post/'  which  is  connected  with 
the  first  line  fire  trench  by  a  zigzag  com- 
municating trench.  (See  Listening  Posts, 
p.  27). 

3.  Then  comes  the  first  line  fire  trench 
with  attached  machine-gun  emplacements 
at  convenient  points.  (See  Fire  Trench 
and  Machine-Gun  Emplacements,  pp.  33 
and  54). 

4.  The  fire  trench  is  so  narrow  that 
lateral  communication  along  it  is  efifected 
only  with  difficulty.  In  order  to  provide 
a  passageway  a  communication  or  supervi- 
sion trench  is  provided  a  few  yards  in  rear 
of  the  fire  trench.    Passageways  lead  from 

9 


10       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


this  communication  trench  to  the  fire  trench 
and  to  the  dugouts  located  along  it. 

5.  At  a  variable  distance  in  rear  of  the 
fire  trench  (100  to  200  yards)  the  emplace- 
ments for  bomb-throwing  apparatus  and 
trench  mortars  are  located.  These  are  con- 
nected up  laterally  by  a  communication 
trench  which  joins  with  the  main  com- 
munication trench  running  from  front  to 
rear  through  the  position.  (See  Emplace- 
ments for  Trench  Mortars,  p.  51). 

6.  From  100  to  400  yards  to  the  rear  of 
the  first  line  fire  trench,  and  generally  par- 
allel to  it,  is  the  supporting  trench  or  cover 
for  the  supports.  This  trench  is  invariably 
provided  with  strong  overhead  cover  and  a 
system  of  dugouts  for  the  protection  of  the 
troops.    (See  Cover  for  Supports,  p.  53). 

7.  This  whole  arrangement  of  trenches 
is  connected  throughout  from  front  to  rear, 
and  laterally,  by  a  system  of  zigzag  com- 
munication trenches. 

Take  this  brief  description  together  with 
Plate  1,  the  drawing  that  accompanies  this 
volume,  and  study  the  two  until  you  get  the 
entire  system  fixed  firmly  in  your  mind; 


ORGANIZATION 


11 


that  is,  until  you  get  a  mental  picture  of  all 
the  elements  included  in  the  system. 

After  you  have  done  this,  study  on 
through  the  book  in  order  that  you  may 
know  the  purpose  of  each  of  these  elements 
and  how  one  links  up  with  the  other. 

This  is  the  typical  system  now  in  use  in 
the  European  war  theaters.  Circumstances 
at  certain  places  may  render  some  varia- 
tions necessary,  and  it  must  not  be  inferred 
that  the  trace  of  the  works  is  the  same 
throughout.  As  a  rule  the  types  of  trenches 
(altered  when  necessary  to  meet  local  con- 
ditions) illustrated  herein  are  the  ones  in 
actual  use  on  the  war  fronts. 

All  of  these  trenches  and  their  accesso- 
ries constitute  what  is  known  as  the  first 
line.  At  a  distance  of  from  2,000  to  5,000 
yards  in  rear  of  this  first  line  a  second  line, 
organized  in  a  similar  manner,  is  to  be 
found. 

At  intervals  of  from  800  to  1,500  yards 
along  the  first  line-centers  of  resistance,  or 
what  we  know  as  "supporting  points,''  are 
located.  These  consist  of  fortified  villages, 
or  a  network  (labyrinth)  of  trenches,  pro- 
vided with  every  defensive  device  known 
to  modern  warfare.    The  object  of  these 


12      ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

supporting  points  is  to  bring  a  flanking  fire 
to  bear  on  the  intervals  between  them,  with 
the  idea  that  an  attacking  force  cannot  ad- 
vance beyond  them  without  capturing 
them. 

Plate  2  shows  the  general  scheme  of  the 
occupation  of  a  sector  of  the  line  by  a  field 
army  of  two  divisions. 


Chapter  II 

OBSTACLES  ^ 

The  element  of  the  defensive  line  nearest 
the  enemy  is  a  line  or  series  of  lines  of  ob- 
stacles which  are  designed  for  the  purpose 
of :  . 

1.  Protecting  the  lines  from  surprise. 

2.  Reducing  the  momentum  of  the  at- 
tack, by  breaking  up  the  unity  of  action 
and  cohesion. 

3.  Holding  the  enemy  under  the  effective 
fire  of  the  defenders. 

The  conditions  that  obstacles  should  ful- 
fil are  as  follows.   They  must — 

1.  Be  close  to  the  defender's  position.  As 
a  rule  on  the  western  front  they  are  not 
more  than  from  50  to  100  yards  distant. 
If  they  are  too  close  it  may  be  possible  to 
throw  hand  grenades  from  the  far  edge  of 
them  into  the  defender's  trenches. 

2.  As  far  as  practicable,  be  sheltered  and 
screened  from  the  enemy.  Shell  fire  is  the 
most  effective  method  of  destroying  ob- 
stacles. If  they  are  not  concealed  they  may 
furnish  aiming  points  for  the  enemy's  fire 
against  the  first  line  fire  trench  by  his  be- 

13 


14      ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

ing  able  to  estimate  its  location  with  refer- 
ence to  the  obstacle. 

3.  Afford  no  cover  or  screen  to  the  enemy. 

4.  Be  so  placed  that  the  enemy  will  come 
upon  them  as  a  surprise. 

5.  Be  so  constructed  as  to  be  difficult  of 
removal  under  fire  and  impracticable  to  ne- 
gotiate while  still  reasonably  intact. 

6.  Be  arranged  so  as  not  to  interfere 
with  a  counter  attack.  The  obstacles  may 
have  occasional  gaps  left  in  them  which 
may  be  mined. 

The  different  classes  of  obstacles  are: 
Abatis,  low  wire  entanglements,  high  wire 
entanglements,  barricades,  mines,  fougasses, 
crows  feet,  military  pits  with  wire  entangle- 
ments, inundations,  etc. 


Plate  3. — Abatis. 

/  Abatis  (pronounced  abate e)  consists  of 
branches  of  trees  lying  parallel  to  each 
other,  butts  pointing  to  the  rear,  and  the 


OBSTACLES 


15 


branches  interlaced  with  barbed  wire.  All 
leaves  and  small  twigs  should  be  removed 
and  the  stiff  ends  of  branches  pointed.  The 
butts  are  staked  or  tied  down  or  anchored 
by  covering  them  with  earth.  When  more 
than  one  row  is  used  the  branches  overlap 
the  butts  of  those  in  front  so  as  to  make 
the  abatis  about  5  feet  high.  An  abatis 
formed  by  felling  trees  towards  the  enemy, 
leaving  the  butt  hanging  to  the  stump,  is 
called  slashing. 


Plate  4. — Slashing. 


Wire  Entanglements 

Barbed  wire  is  the  material  most  em- 
ployed in  the  construction  of  obstacles.  It 
may  be  used  in  the  following  manner: 

1.  As  a  simple  trip,  for  giving  the  alarm. 
It  is  stretched  just  above  the  ground  and 
attached  to  some  object  that  will  cause  a 
noise  to  be  made  if  molested. 


16       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

2.  A  simple  wire  fence,  to  cause  delay 
and  confusion  to  the  enemy  in  his  advance. 

3.  As  an  adjunct  to  tree  and  brushwood 
entanglement. 

4.  As  a  wire  entanglement. 

5.  As  a  covering  for  portable  cylinders. 
The  advantages  of  the  barbed-wire  en- 
tanglement are: 

1.  It  is  easily  and  quickly  made. 

2.  It  is  difficult  to  destroy. 

3.  It  is  difficult  to  get  through. 

4.  It  offers  no  obstruction  to  the  view 
and  fire  of  the  defense. 

The  low  wire  entanglement  is  constructed 
as  follows: 

1.  Drive  stakes  in  the  ground  until  they 
project  about  18  inches.  The  stakes  should 
be  about  6  feet  apart,  those  in  each  row  be- 
ing opposite  the  intervals  in  adjacent  rows. 

2.  The  wire  is  then  passed  loosely  from 
the  head  of  one  stake  to  another,  wound 
around  each  and  stapled.  , 

3.  Where  two  or  more  wires  cross  they 
should  be  tied  together. 

A  more  useful  and  efficient  modification 
of  the  low  wire  entanglement  is  made  by 
stapling  the  wire  down  the  sides  of  the 


OBSTACLES 


17 


stakes,  allowing  five  or  more  feet  of  slack 
wire  between  stakes.  Drive  the  stakes  in 
the  ground  until  the  top  is  flush.  This  re- 
sults in  a  loose  network  of  tangled  wires 
difficult  to  get  through,  easily  concealed  and 
difficult  to  remove. 

The  high  wire  entanglement  is  made  by 
driving  stakes  so  that  they  protrude  from 
4  to  6  feet  above  the  ground.  They  are 
placed  at  irregular  intervals  5  to  8  feet 
apart.  The  head  of  each  stake  is  connected 
with  the  foot  of  adjoining  stakes  with  the 
wire  loosely  drawn,  wound  around  the 
stakes  and  stapled  fast.  Each  center  post 
should  be  stayed  by  four  wires.  There 
should  be  a  trip  wire  about  9  inches  from 
the  ground  all  the  way  across  the  front  and 
another  about  a  foot  from  the  top  of  the 
center  posts.  Barbed  wire  may  then  be 
hung  in  festoons  throughout  the  entangle- 
ment, with  no  fixed  pattern.  To  increase 
the  entanglement  wire  may  be  stapled  to 
the  foot  of  the  posts,  as  indicated  in  the 
paragraph  above,  before  they  are  driven. 
Large  nails  should  be  driven  in  the  tops  of 
the  posts  with  half  their  length  protruding. 
A  number  of  the  wires  in  the  entanglement 
should  be  fastened  together  where  they 


18       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


cross. 


The  wire  should  be  passed  through 
paint,  if  practicable,  to  take  away  the  bright 
color.   The  post  should  be  painted  the  color 


Plate  4a. — Plan  of  wire  entanglement. 


Plate  S. — High  wire  entanglement. 

of  the  surrounding  country.  Under  the  con- 
ditions encountered  on  the  western  front 
this  work  has  to  be  done  hastily.   It  is  best, 


OBSTACLES 


19 


therefore,  to  limit  the  first  stage  of  con- 
struction to  just  so  many  strands  as  will 
form  a  nucleus  for  the  whole  entanglement, 
in  order  that  the  area  may  be  covered  by 
an  obstacle  before  interruption  occurs. 

Tight  wires  help  the  enemy's  advance  hy 
forming  supports  for  hurdles.  It  must  be 
constantly  borne  in  mind  that  the  wires 
must  not  be  stretched  taut. 

A  portable  wire  entanglement  is  con- 
structed by  stretching  wire  loosely  around 
a  wooden  framework,  either  circular  or 
square  or  made  on  a  knife  rest,  and  rolling 
it  into  position  to  close  up  gaps  that  may 
have  been  made  in  the  entanglement.  The 
illustration  shows  the  wooden  framework. 


Plate  5a. — Alarm  trap. 


20       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Plate  6. — Portable  entanglement.    Constructed  in  the 
trenches  and  rolled  into  position. 


The  ordinary  repairs  to  entanglements 
are  made  under  cover  of  darkness  by  work- 
ing parties  detailed  for  the  purpose.  Iron 
posts  that  can  be  quickly  placed  in  position 
are  advantageous,  their  disadvantage  being 
that  they  may  retard  bullets  that  would  go 
through  the  ordinary  wooden  posts,  thus 
furnishing  just  that  much  cover  and  pro- 
tection to  attacking  parties. 

In  the  construction  and  repair  of  en- 
tanglements care  must  be  taken  to  see  that 
they  are  firmly  fastened  into  the  ground 
with  numerous  stay  posts  or  "deadmen." 
This  is  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  pulling 
them  to  pieces  with  grappling  hooks  con- 
nected to  ropes  that  lead  to  his  trenches 
and  are  attached  to  powerful  windlasses  or 
capstans. 


OBSTACLES 


21 


Barricades 

Barricades  are  employed  for  the  defense 
of  streets,  roads,  bridges,  etc.  They  may 
be  made  out  of  any  available  material  such 
as  furniture,  vehicles  (overturned  or  with 
wheels  removed),  carts  filled  with  stones, 
bales  of  goods,  etc. 

Where  trees  grow  along  the  roadside  they 
may  be  felled  across  the  road.  If  neces- 
sary, barbed  wire  may  be  run  through  the 
branches  to  make  the  passage  more  difificult. 


Plate  7. — Plan  of  barricade 
for  blocking  a  road. 


22      ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

Barricades  should  not  as  a  rule  close  the 
road  entirely  to  traffic.  Passages  are  re- 
quired to  allow  the  defenders  to  pass 
through  when  it  is  necessary  to  do  so. 
Hence  they  should  be  made  in  two  parts, 
one  overlapping  the  other,  as  shown  in  the 
illustration. 

A  fougass  is  a  mine  so  arranged  that 
upon  explosion  a  large  mass  of  stones  is 
projected  against  the  enemy.  An  excava- 
tion is  made  in  the  shape  of  a  frustrom  of 
a  cone,  inclining  the  axis  in  the  direction  of 
the  enemy  so  as  to  make  an  angle  with  the 
horizon  of  about  45  degrees.  The  sides 
;splay  outward  slightly.  A  box  of  powder 
is  placed  in  a  recess  at  the  bottom.  This  is 
•covered  with  a  platform  of  wood  several 
inches  thick,  on  which  the  stones  are  piled. 

The  fuse  is  placed  in  a  groove  cut  at  the 
Iback  of  the  excavation,  or  the  mine  may  be 
^exploded  by  means  of  electricity. 

The  line  of  least  resistance  for  the  charge 
must  be  arranged  so  that  the  powder  will 
act  in  the  direction  of  the  axis  and  not  ver- 
tically. This  is  accomplished  by  throwing 
the  excavated  earth  on  the  crest  towards 
the  defender's  side  and  ramming  it  well. 

To  ascertain  the  powder  charge  for  any 


OBSTACLES 


fougass,  divide  the  number  of  pounds  of 
stone  in  the  charge  by  150.  This  gives  the 
number  of  pounds  of  powder  in  the  powder 
charge.  Thus  a  fougass  charged  with  about 
70  pounds  of  powder  will  throw  about  5 
tons  of  stone  over  a  surface  about  160  yards 
long  and  120  yards  wide. 


Plate  8. — Fougass. 


Plate  9. — Vertical  fougass. 


24       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

When  broken  up  a  cubic  foot  of  stone 
weighs  about  100  pounds. 

A  vertical  type  of  fougass  is  also  shown. 
A  charge  of  25  pounds  of  powder  should 
scatter  a  cubic  yard  of  stones  over  an  area 
about  200  by  100  yards. 

Small  Land  Mines 

Land  mines  are  placed  in  the  line  of  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  and  exploded  either 
by  electricity  or  fuse  from  the  defense. 
They  are  made  by  digging  holes  from  2 
to  3  yards  deep,  either  by  excavation  or  by 
boring.  In  the  former  case  the  charge  is 
placed  in  a  recess  which  extends  into  the 
solid  earth  at  the  side  of  the  hole,  which 
is  then  refilled  and  tamped.  In  the  latter 
case  the  charge  is  placed  in  the  bottom  of 
the  hole,  which  ir  then  refilled  and  solidly 
tamped.  In  common  earth  the  powder 
charge  for  a  2-yard  hole  is  25  pounds. 
That  for  a  3-yard  hole  is  80  pounds.  The 
diameter  of  the  crater  formed  will  be  about 
twice  the  depth  of  the  charge. 

The  mines  may  be  arranged  in  one  or 
more  rows.  The  intervals  between  mines 
should  be  such  that  the  craters  will  nearly 
but  not  quite  jom.    The  position  of  the 


OBSTACLES 


25 


mines  should  be  concealed  as  much  as  pos- 
sible and  further  sophisticated  by  disturbing 
the  ground  slightly  at  points  where  there 
are  no  mines  and  so  situated  as  to  suggest 
a  systematic  arrangement. 


 < — 3'0 — >  

'^^^V/X^//^  .  _^LN!^WA\'-yAVA 


Plate  9a. — Land  mine. 

F,  Line  from  powder  charge  to  battery. 
P,  Powder  charge. 

Inundation 

Backing  up  the  water  of  a  stream  so  that 
it  overflows  a  considerable  area  forms  a 
good  obstacle,  even  though  of  fordable 
depth.  If  shallow,  the  difficulty  of  fording 
may  be  increased  by  irregular  holes  or 
ditches  "dug  before  the  water  comes  up,  or 
by  constructing  wire  entanglements  in  the 
water.   It  may  be  employed  with  advantage 


26       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

when  the  drainage  of  a  considerable  area 
passes  through  a  restricted  opening,  as  a 
natural  gorge,  culvert  or  bridge. 

Open  cribs  filled  with  stones,  or  tighter 
ones  filled  with  gravel,  may  form  the  basis 
of  the  obstruction  to  the  flow  of  the  water. 
The  usual  method  of  tightening  spaces  or 
cracks  between  cribs  is  by  throwing  in 
earth  or  alternate  layers  of  straw,  hay, 
grass,  earth,  or  sacks  of  clay.  A  continu- 
ous construction,  as  shown  in  the  illustra- 
tion, may  be  employed.  The  ends  of  the 
dam  must  be  carried  well  into  the  solid 
earth  to  prevent  the  water  from  cutting 
around  them.  This  type  of  dam  is  easily 
destroyed  by  artillery  fire,  and  cannot  be 
depended  upon. 


Plate  10. — Dam  construction. 


Chapter  III 

LOOKOUT  AND  LISTENING  POSTS 

Except  when  the  garrison  are  actually  re- 
quired to  man  the  parapet,  they  will  be  kept 
under  cover,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
lookouts,  whose  duty  it  is  to  give  timely 
warning  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 

When  the  opposing  forces  are  in  close 
proximity  to  each  other  mining  operations 
are  generally  resorted  to  by  both  sides  to 
compass  the  destruction  of  the  opposing 
works  and  open  the  way  for  an  attack. 

Lookout  and  listening  posts  serve  the 
double  purpose  of  having  a  few  men  at  the 
most  advantageous  places  for  observation 
at  the  front  and  flanks  and  providing  points 
at  some  distance  to  the  front  of  the  first 
line  fire  trenches  from  which  listeners  may 
be  able  to  discover  the  location  and  direc- 
tion of  enemy  mining  operations  before 
they  really  menace  the  fire  trench. 

In  the  normal  case  there  will  be  some 
natural  cover  available.  Such,  however,  is 
not  always  the  case,  and  specially  con- 
structed observation  stations  have  to  be  pro- 
vided. 

The  posts  should  be  placed  in  advance  of 

27 


ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


the  first  line  trench,  the  distance  depending 
upon  circumstances  which  have  to  be  de- 
termined in  each  particular  instance.  They 
must  be  fully  protected  from  reverse  fire  so 
that  there  will  be  no  chance  of  the  observer 
masking  the  fire  of  his  comrades  manning 
the  fire  trench. 

Unless  the  ground  is  very  favorable  it  will 
be  found  difficult  to  provide  for  observa- 
tion above  ground.  Where  there  are  natural 
features  such  as  embankments,  mounds, 
hedgerows,  ruins  of  buildings,  etc.,  it  may 
be  possible  to  make  provision  for  observa- 
tion even  by  day. 

Where  a  loophole  is  used,  the  type  having 
the  narrower  end  outward  should  be  pro- 
vided. 

In  the  open  type  of  post  the  observation 
directly  to  the  front  may  be  greatly  facili- 
tated by  the  use  of  the  periscope.  (Plate 

11.) 

A  good,  strong  parapet  thrown  up  and 
chopped  ofif  at  the  comers  will  enable  the 
observer  to  cover  areas  from  an  oblique  di- 
rection from  the  post  and  protect  him  from 
fire  from  the  front. 

In  the  covered  type  the  observer  is  pro- 


LOOKOUT  AND  LISTENING  POSTS  29 

vided  loopholes  having  the  splay  towards 
him.  These  may  also  be  constructed  to  the 
oblique  rather  than  to  the  front.  When  this 
is  done,  provision  must  be  made  to  cover 
the  entire  front  of  the  position  from  the 
several  posts.    (Plate  12.) 

The  post  may  be  connected  with  the  first 
line  fire  trench  by  a  narrow  zigzag  trench 
or  by  an  underground  passage.  If  the  for- 
mer, it  must  be  thoroughly  concealed  and 
have  no  excavated  earth  visible.  If  it  can 
be  located  along  a  hedge  or  some  other 
natural  feature  its  location  may  remain  un- 
known to  the  enemy  for  a  considerable 
length  of  time.  Where  a  communication 
gallery  is  constructed  the  roof  and  walls 
must  be  suitably  shored  up  by  casing  and 
supports. 

The  sentinel  in  the  listening  post  carries 
no  accouterments.  It  has  been  found  that 
the  creaking  noise  made  by  equipment  when 
the  sentinel  moves  has  been  taken  for  min- 
ing operations  of  the  enemy  by  his  com- 
rades. 

Listening  galleries  should  never  be  left 
without  a  sentinel.  There  should  be  a 
depot  of  arms  and  hand  grenades  near  the 
entrance  to  the  gallery  in  case  men  are  at- 


Plate  11. — Open  type  of  listening  post. 


Plate  12. — Covered  type  of  listening  post. 


Plate  13. — A  listening  and  observation  post. 


32       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

tacked  while  on  duty  from  either  above  or 
below  ground. 

Listening  will  be  conducted  at  specified 
times,  or  on  some  prearranged  signal,  and 
for  a  definite  period.  During  this  time  all 
within  the  listening  area,  including  the 
trenches,  must  remain  absolutely  motion- 
less. 

Infantry  manning  a  trench  can  assist  lis- 
tening by  digging  a  small  pit,  6  feet  deep 
below  the  trench,  and  running  a  bore-hole 
out  20  feet  or  more. 

The  enemy  is  always  listening  for  indi- 
cations of  the  direction  and  position  of  gal- 
lery heads.  Work  must  therefore  be  car- 
ried on  with  a  minimum  of  noise.  Shouting 
down  the  shafts  of  galleries  is  absolutely 
forbidden. 

When  the  mining  operations  of  the  enemy 
are  detected  a  report  should  be  made  at 
once  to  the  officer  in  charge  of  that  section 
of  the  trench. 


Chapter  IV 


FIELD  TRENCHES 

The  next  element  of  the  defensive  posi« 
tion  is  the  first  line  fire  trenches.  These  are 
located  so  as  to  have  a  good  field  of  fire  to 
the  front  for  several  hundred  yards  and  so 
constructed  as  to  give  the  greatest  cover 
and  protection  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

An  unbroken,  continuous  trench  would 
be  exposed  to  enfilade  fire.  A  shell,  shrap- 
nel or  grenade  bursting  therein  would  have 
widespread  efifect.  To  overcome  these  ele- 
ments the  trench  is  constructed  in  short 
lengths,  with  traverses  between  them,  and 
technically  known  as  the  traverse  type. 

Better  defilade  is  thus  secured  and  the 
material  efifect  of  any  burst  is  confined  to 
narrow  limits. 

The  trench  interval  between  the  traverses 
is  known  as  the  ''bay,''  which  should  not 
ordinarily  be  longer  than  18  feet.  Longer 
bays  invite  heavy  casualties  in  case  the 
trench  is  enfiladed  or  a  high  explosive  shell 
finds  its  mark. 

The  illustration,  Plate  14,  shows  a  trace 
of  the  traversed  type  of  fire  trench. 

33 


FIELD  TRENCHES 


35 


Type  of  Trench 


Formerly,  protection  from  the  enemy's 
fire  was  obtained  by  thickness  of  parapet. 
In  the  trench  warfare  of  today  it  is  obtained 
by  completely  concealing  the  riflemen  in  a 
deep,  narrow  trench  with  a  very  low  para- 
pet. 

The  height  over  which  the  average  man 
can  fire  is  about  5  feet  or  about  five-sixths 
of  his  own  height.  This  factor  determines 
the  height  of  the  parapet  above  the  firing 
banquet  of  the  trench  or  the  height  of  bot- 
tom of  loophole  above  the  same  point,  when 
the  latter  is  employed. 


Plate  15. — Simple  standing  trench.    1.  Width  at  top, 

3  feet  4  inches.  2.  Width  at  bottom,  over  all,  2  feet 
8  inches.    3.  Width  of  firing  banquet,  1  foot  4  inches. 

4.  Height  of  parapet  above  firing  banquet,  5  feet. 

5.  Height  of  parapet  above  bottom  of  trench,  6  feet 

4  inches. 


FIELD  TRENCHES 


37 


The  type  of  trench  in  general  use  today 
is  the  simple  standing  trench  shown  in 
Plate  15. 

Drainage 

r 

If  a  trench  is  to  be  occupied  for  any 
length  of  time,  especially  if  much  ground 
or  falling  water  is  to  be  encountered,  drain- 
age becomes  of  prime  importance.  Many 
years  ago  a  celebrated  military  authority 
asserted  that  ''nothing  so  saps  the  courage 
of  a  soldier  as  to  wet  the  seat  of  his 
breeches."  This  may  be  accepted  as  a  true 
maxim,  especially  in  cold  weather.  The 
trench  should  therefore  be  made  as  dry  as 
possible.  The  floor  of  the  trench  should  be 
given  a  sufficient  slope  to  the  rear  where 
an  intercepting  drain  should  carry  the  water 
to  prepared  sumps  or  to  a  point  from  which 
it  can  be  disposed  of  by  drainage.  Provi- 
sion should  also  be  made  to  exclude  surface 
drainage  from  the  trenches. 

A  scheme  for  trench  drainage  is  shown  in 
the  illustrations  (Plates  16,  17  and  18). 

Overhead  cover  may  be  provided  as 
shown  in  Plates  19  and  20. 

Loopholes  are  made  wherever  head  cover 
is  provided.    Where  the  enemy's  trenches 


Plate  16. — Method  of  draining  trench. 


Plate  17— Details  of  Plate  18.— Detail  of 

trench  drainage.  trench  drainage. 


Plate  19a. — Overhead  cover. 


Plate  20a. — Overhead  cover. 


FIELD  TRENCHES 


41 


are  close,  there  is  considerable  danger  in 
using  them.  Collective  firing  takes  place 
over  the  parapet.  When  loopholes  are  used 
they  should  face  half-right  or  half-left  and 
not  directly  to  the  front. 

The  disadvantages  of  loopholes  are : 

1.  The  difficulty  of  concealing  firing 
points.  Loopholes  give  the  enemy's  snipers 
an  easy  mark. 

2.  They  lessen  the  number  of  rifles  that 
can  be  used  at  a  given  point. 

3.  The  necessary  head  cover  makes  it 
difficult  to  get  out  of  the  trench  quickly. 

4.  Damaged  head  cover  often  spoils  a 
good  firing  point. 

The  three  types  of  loopholes  are : 

1.  Narrowest  point  of  the  opening  near- 
est the  marksman.  This  type  is  most  diffi- 
cult to  conceal,  much  of  the  parapet  thick- 
ness is  cut  away  and,  if  of  hard  material, 
tends  to  deflect  the  bullets  into  the  firer's 
face.  This  defect  may  be  remedied  some- 
what by  stepping  the  surface  of  the  loop- 
hole. 

2.  Narrowest  point  to  the  front.  Easiest 
to  conceal  but  gives  a  limited  field  of  view. 

3.  Narrowest  point  midway  between  the 


42       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  V/ARFARE 

front  and  rear.  A  compromise  between  the 
first  two  types. 

The  following  general  remarks  on  the 
construction  of  loopholes  are  taken  from  a 
work  based  upon  the  experience  gained  dur- 
ing the  war  in  Europe : 

1.  The  angle  of  splay  is  usually  60  de- 
grees. The  thicker  the  parapet  the  smaller 
must  be  the  angle  of  splay. 

2.  The  marksman  holds  his  rifle  in  a  line 


Plate  21. — Types  of  loopholes. 


Plate  22. — Methods  of  constructing  loopholes 
with  sandbags. 


44      ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

connecting  the  right  shoulder,  the  eye  and 
the  object,  hence  most  of  the  body  Hes  to  the 
left  of  the  rifle.  The  loophole  should  be 
made  to  the  rights  with  a  niche  in  the  wall 
of  the  parapet  from  the  hip  to  the  armpit, 
to  bring  the  left  shoulder  well  forward.  It 
will  be  found  that  this  permits  the  right 
elbow  to  be  placed  on  the  edge  of  the  para- 
pet. 

3.  Box  loopholes  with  screens  or  blindage 
may  be  used,  but  should  be  placed  by  a 
skilled  marksman.  The  great  disadvantage 
is  that  the  enemy  notes  these  parapet  altera- 
tions. Steel  loophole  plates  are  now  pro- 
vided for  this  type  of  loophole.   As  the  Ger- 

-  mans  sometimes  use  a  steel  bullet  with  great 
penetrating  power,  it  is  advisable  to  place 
two  plates  together  to  insure  protection. 

4.  With  every  precaution  that  may  be 
taken  it  is  difficult  to  conceal  a  loophole. 
A  good  plan  is  to  deceive  the  enemy  by 
using  painted  sandbags  and  preparing  plenty 
of  dummy  loopholes. 

5.  The  minimum  width  of  loopholes 
should  be  2^  inches.  If  narrower  than 
this,  it  is  impossible  to  use  both  eyes  to 
judge  distances  correctly. 

6.  The  parapet  should  be  so  sloped  that 


FIELD  TRENCHES  45 

there  is  a  maximum  grazing  fire  when  the 
rifle  is  fired  as  it  Hes  on  the  parapet. 

To  insure  that  the  bullet  will  not  graze 
the  parapet,  although  the  sights  are  clear, 
look  through  the  barrel  with  the  bolt  re- 
moved. 

Communication  Trench 

In  the  first  line  fire  trenches  there  are  so 
many  crooks  and  turns  and  the  trench  itself 
is  so  narrow  that  passage  along  the  same  is 
very  difficult.  To  provide  for  this  lateral 
communication  a  trench  known  as  the  com- 
munication or  supervision  trench  is  dug.  It 
runs  generally  parallel  to  and  a  short  dis- 


Plate  23. — Type  of  communication  trench. 


46       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

tance  in  rear  of  the  fire  trench  and  is  con- 
nected therewith  by  zigzag  approaches.  The 
factor  that  determines  the  distance  between 
the  fire  trench  and  the  communication 
trench  is  that  it  should  be  at  such  a  dis- 
tance that  a  shell  bursting  in  one  of  the  bays 
would  not  destroy  the  communication 
trench. 

The  location  of  the  communication  trench 
with  respect  to  the  fire  trench  and  the  ar- 
rangements of  the  approaches  is  shown  in 
detail  in  Plate  1. 

The  profile  of  the  ordinary  communica- 
tion trench  is  shown  in  Plate  23. 

Dugouts 

During  the  artillery  bombardment  few 
men  are  left  in  the  fire  trenches.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  garrison  is  held  under  cover 
a  short  distance  to  the  rear.  This  cover  is 
provided  by  a  system  of  dugouts  connected 
with  the  fire  trench  through  underground 
passageways  that  lead  to  the  communica- 
tion trench.  This  arrangement  is  shown  in 
Plate  1. 

A  profile  of  the  latest  type  of  dugout  is 
shown  in  Plate  24. 

The  solid  earth  cover  is  from  12  to  18  feet 


48       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

thick,  which  gives  protection  from  all  but 
the  very  largest  caliber  shells. 

Effective  resistance  is  supplied  by  roofing 
materials  as  follows : 

1.  From  shrapnel  bullets:  2-inch  planks 
covered  with  12  inches  of  earth. 

2.  From  3-inch  shells :  4-inch  planks  sup- 
porting 4  feet  of  earth  with  a  top  layer  of 
heavy  stones  to  cause  an  early  shell  burst. 

3.  From  howitzers  of  less  than  6  inches 
caliber :  12-inch  beams  or  logs  covered  with 
8  feet  of  earth. 

4.  From  the  largest  caliber  guns:  15  to 
25  feet  of  earth. 

The  following  table  shows  the  penetra- 
tion of  the  German  S  bullet  at  a  range  of 


200  yards :  Inches 

Steel  plate   }i 

Broken  stone   6 

Brickwork,  cement  and  mortar   9 

Brickwork,  lime  and  mortar   14 

Sandbags    24 

Sand,  loose   30 

Hardwood,  oak,  etc   38 

Earth   50 

Soft  wood,  poplar,  etc   58 

Clay   60 

Dry  turf   80 


FIELD  TRENCHES 


49 


In  addition  to  the  regular  ''dugouts"  for 
the  supports,  the  latest  type  trenches  have 
squad  dugouts  just  in  rear  of  the  bays  of 
the  fire  trench.  These  provide  shelter  dur- 
ing bombardment  for  the  members  of  the 
squad  not  actually  required  on  duty  in  the 
trench  bay. 


Plate  24a. — Section  of  traversed  type  of  fire  trench 
showing  entrance  to  squad  dugout. 


Communications 

The  fire  trench  is  connected  v^ith  the 
cover  for  supports  by  a  system  of  zigzag 
trenches  having  the  profile  shown  in  Plate 
23.  The  arrangement  is  shown  in  Plate  1. 


\ 


'  FIELD  TRENCHES 


51 


Trench  Mortar  Positions 

Somewhere  between  the  first  line  fire 
trench  and  the  cover  for  the  supports  is  a 
line  of  emplacements  for  the  trench  mor- 
tars. Plate  25  shows  a  profile  of  the  em- 
placement. 

The  arrangement  of  the  position  is  shown 
in  Plate  1. 

These  trench  mortars  are  used  to  hurl 
charges  of  high  explosives  varying  from 
25  to  100  pounds  into  the  enemy's  lines. 


Plate  25a. — Trench  mortar. 


Plate  25b. — Improvised  catapult. 


FIELD  TRENCHES 


53 


They  have  a  range  of  from  300  to  1,800 
yards. 

Cover  for  Supports 

At  a  variable  distance  to  the  rear  of  the 
first  hne  fire  trench  is  located  the  cover  for 
supports,  which  is  organized  much  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  first  line  system  of 
trenches  and  affords  a  second  position  in 
the  system  to  fall  back  to  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. These  trenches  are  provided  with 
overhead  cover  and  numerous  dugouts  for 
the  protection  of  the  men. 

Machine  Guns 

At  every  available  place  throughout  the 
defensive  position  machine  guns  are  located, 
typical  positions  of  which  are  shown  in 
Plate  1. 

The  typical  types  of  cover  are  shown  in 
Plates  26  and  27. 

Machine  guns  are  a  very  potent  factor  in 
trench  warfare.  They  are  now  being  em- 
ployed to  a  far  greater  extent  than  ever 
before,  and  the  number  is  increasing  on  all 
the  battle  fronts  as  fast  as  they  can  be 
manufactured.  The  machine-gun  positions 
are  carefully  concealed  from  the  enemy. 


EIELD  TRENCHES 


55 


Plate  27. — Type  of  cover  for  machine  guns. 


and  fire  is  not  opened  until  it  is  certain  that 
it  will  be  effective. 

The  selection  of  the  sites  for  the  em- 
placements should  be  made  with  a  view  to 
bringing  a  powerful  enfilade  or  oblique  fire 
on  the  attacking  enemy  at  effective  range. 


56       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

to  provide  a  iflanking  fire  for  supporting 
troops,  and  to  sweep  gaps  in  the  line  of 
obstacles. 

Their  fire  should  come  as  a  surprise  to 
the  attacking  party. 

In  the  construction  of  cover  for  machine 
guns  the  following  points  should  be  ob- 
served : 

1.  They  must  have  a  platform  for  the 
gun  and  gunner.  This  may  be  provided  for 
in  the  construction  of  the  emplacement  or 
built  up  with  sandbags.  The  platform 
should  be  3  feet  wide  and  6^  feet  in  length. 

2.  If  head  cover  is  provided,  it  should 
not  differ  in  appearance  from  that  con- 
structed elsewhere  in  the  trenches.  The 
loopholes  must  be  blinded  with  gunny  sacks. 

3.  The  front  of  the  emplacement  should 
be  cut  under  to  receive  the  leg  of  the  tripod, 
thus  bringing  the  gun  up  closer  to  the  par- 
apet and  furnishing  more  cover  for  the 
gunner. 

4.  Splinter-proof  shelters  should  be  pro- 
vided near  at  hand  for  the  members  of  the 
gun  detachment. 

.  5.  Where  the  enemy's  trenches  are  near, 
the  position  for  the  emplacement  should  be 


FIELD  TRENCHES  57 

selected  by  day  and  the  actual  work  done 
under  cover  of  darkness. 

6.  The  guns  shotild  be  located  so  that 
they  support  each  other  by  their  fire.  Alter- 
nate positions  should  be  constructed. 

7.  When  located  to  enfilade  straight  lines 
of  trenches,  special  capioniers  should  be 
constructed. 

Supporting  Points 

At  intervals  from  800  to  1,500  yards  along 
the  first  line,  supporting  points  are  estab- 
lished.  They  may  consist  of  a  fortified 
village  or  a  specially  prepared  position  hav- 
ing a  '*lab3Tinth"  of  trenches  and  rendered 
well-nigh  impregnable  to  infantry  assault 
by  every  defensive  device  known  to  modern 
warfare.  They  are  designed  to  bring  a 
flanking  fire  to  bear  upon  the  intervening 
intervals  with  the  idea  that  troops  cannot 
pass  beyond  them  until  they  are  reduced. 

Village  Defense 

The  following  was  the  actual  scheme  em- 
ployed for  the  defense  of  a  French  village^ 
and  exemplifies  the  thoroughness  with 
which  defenses  must  be  organized. 

The  village  was  about  700  yards  in  rear 


58       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

of  the  front  line,  and  had  three  keeps  sur- 
rounded with  wire  entanglements  and  in- 
dependent of  each  other,  but  with  an  elab- 
orate system  of  communication  trenches. 
Water  and  four  days'  rations  were  stored 
in  each  keep,  and  wells  dug.  Each  of  the 
keeps  held  about  one  company.  The  com- 
munication trenches  were  about  6  feet 
deep,  used  as  far  as  possible  as  fire 
trenches,  and  well  traversed.  Firing  plat- 
forms were  revetted  with  brushwood,  and 
shelters  made  all  over  the  village.  In  ad- 
dition to  keeps,  a  series  of  lines  existed  in 
the  rear  of  the  front  line,  intercommuni- 
cating and  provided  with  barbed  wire.  A 
small  wood  on  one  point  of  the  front  was 
defended  by  a  network  of  low  wire  en- 
tanglements and  a  line  of  high  wire  netting. 

Every  officer  had  to  know  all  about  his 
section  and  its  communications  with  right 
and  left.  Telephone  wires  were  laid  low 
down  in  communication  trenches  and  fas- 
tened a  few  inches  from  ground  with 
wooden  pickets. 

Machine  guns  were  placed  so  as  to  flank 
salients.  A  65-mm.  field  gun  was  placed 
in  the  front  line  to  sweep  the  village,  and 
an  observation  station  placed  in  a  tree. 


FIELD  TRENCHES  59 


The  observer  wore  a  green  mask  and  green 
sheet. 

Great  use  was  made  of  brushwood  and 
undergrowth  to  revet  steps  of  .firing  plat- 
form. 

All  work  was  carried  out  by  regimental 
officers  and  men  without  help  from  the 
ens^ineers,  who  were  fully  employed  in 
mining.  The  garrison  of  the  village  and 
the  front  line  trenches  in  the  vicinity  was 
about  one  battalion,  but  the  fire  trenches 
were  sufficient  for  three  battalions. 


Chapter  V 


USE  AND  IMPROVEMENT  OF 
NATURAL  COVER 

A.  screen  or  mask  consists  of  hedges, 
crops,  underbrush,  etc.,  which  hide  the 
rifleman  without,  however,  protecting  him 
from  fire. 

Cover  or  shelter  consists  of  walls,  earth- 
works, etc.,  which  protect  the  rifleman 
from  fire. 

On  the  battlefield,  natural  features  that 
screen  and  shelter  should  be  utilized  as 
much  as  possible,  as  they  possess  the  fol- 
lowing advantages  over  artificial  works : 

(a)  Their  organization  demands  less 
work. 

(&)  Concealment  is  easier. 

{c)  From  their  nature,  it  is  difficult  for 
the  enemy  to  estimate,  for  a  given  length, 
the  number  of  men  sheltered. 

They  possess,  however,  certain  disadvan- 
tages : 

(a)  The  protection  is  sometimes  so  ex- 
cellent that,  morally  as  well  as  materially, 
it  becomes  difficult  to  leave  the  shelter. 

*  This  chapter  reprinted  from  Infantry  Journal, 

60 


t 

USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER 


61 


Example:  quarries  with  obstructed  exits. 
Therefore,  good  judgment  must  be  exer- 
cised in  the  selection. 

(&)  Some  of  them  are  too  visible.  Ex- 
ample: large  hedges.  In  this  case  their 
range  can  be  easily  found. 

As  a  general  rule,  do  not  occupy  them 
uniformly  and  do  not  change  the  appear- 
ance of  the  organized  parts. 

^    Organization  of  the  cover: 

To  organize  the  cover  which  protects 
troops  from  fire,  construct  suitable  posi- 
tions for  firing  and  resting.  To  utilize  the 
screens  which  merely  hide  the  troops  with- 
out protecting  them  from  fire,  dig  trenches 
behind  these  screens  in  the  following  man- 
ner: 

(a)  Choose  the  points  which  give  the 
best  field  of  fire. 

(b)  Construct  cover  for  firing. 

(c)  Construct  a  shelter. 

The  constructions  are  usually  *'indivi- 
dual"  in  the  first  period  of  work;  after- 
wards, they  are  organized  "collectively." 
The  covers  are :  (1)  for  riflemen  lying 
down,  (2)  for  riflemen  sitting  down,  and 
(3)  for  riflemen  standing  up. 


62       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Plate  27a. — Use  of  the  cover  without  improvement. 


Plate  27b.— First  period. 


*  Plate  27c. — Second  period. 
Progressive  improvement  of  the  cover. 


Individual  Organization  of  Natural 

Cover 

Examples  of  hasty  individual  cover  be- 
hind trees,  bushes,  or  branches : 

(a)  Fallen  tree  (logs  or  branches),  the 


f 

USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER  63 


Plate  27 d. — First  period. 


height  of  which  is  at  a  maximum  of  1  foot 
above  the  ground : 

(&)  Fallen  tree,  the  top  of  which  is 
more  than  1  foot  above  the  ground. 

Wood  which  does  not  afford  sufficient 


64       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


protection  against  bullets  must  be  rein- 
forced by  earth  at  the  right  and  against  the 
cover  1  foot  behind.  Plates  27d,  27e,  and 
27f  show  the  progressive  improvement  of 
the  cover. 


Plate  27g. — Sharp  ridges,  furrows,  or  top  of  a  crest  at 
the  end  of  a  gentle  slope. 


Examples  of  hasty  individual  covers  be- 
hind a  furrow,  a  crest,  a  heap  of  sand  or 
earth : 

Dig  the  ground  as  near  as  possible  to 
crest  A  of  the  furrow  in  the  manner  indi- 
cated for  the  cover  installed  behind  a  fallen 
tree  more  than  1  foot  high. 


Plate  27h. — Narrow  furrows. 


Use  the  earth  excavated  between  fur- 
rows A  and  B  to  build  up  the  earth  be- 
tween furrows  B  and  C  and  fill  up  furrow 
C ;  continue  afterwards  as  for  the  sharp 
ridge. 


USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER  65 


B 

Plate  27i.— -Low  wall  of  earth,  or  earth  and  sand  heaps, 
more  than  2  feet  high  (two  methods,  A  or  B). 


(A)  Lower  the  height  about  8  inches; 
throw  the  earth  forward.  Dig  a  trench  as 
indicated  in  the  figure. 

(B)  Make  a  loophole  in  the  pile  of 
earth,  showing  oneself  as  little  as  possible. 
Improve  the  firing  position  by  making  a 
place  for  the  right  leg  and  an  elbow  rest. 


66       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

Examples  of  hasty  shelters  (individual) 
arranged  behind  a  large  stone  or  heap  of 
stones. 

A  heap  of  stones,  the  top  of  which  is 
1  foot  at  a  maximum  above  the  ground : 


PtATE  27 j. — First  period. 


Plate  27k. — Second  period. 


General  Organization  of  Natural 

Cover 

This  consists  in  connecting  up  and  co- 
ordinating the  individual  work  under  the 
direction  of  the  squad  commander.  The 
work  should  be  carried  out  on  the  lines 
adopted  for  the  individual  work  and  the 
rules  prescribed  for  the  construction  of  ar- 


USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER  67 


tificial  cover  (profiles,  depths,  various  shel- 
ters) should  be  followed  as  far  as  possible. 
In  arranging  the  cover,  the  squads  should' 
utilize  the  natural  features  of  the  terrain. 


Plate  27  1. — Arrangement  for  a  mound  of  earth. 


Plate  27m. — Arrangement  for  a  dry  ditch. 


Plate  27n. — Arrangement  for  a  sunken  road  defended  on 
the  side  towards  the  enemy. 


68       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Plate  27o. — Arrangement  for  a  sunken  road  defended 

from  the  rear. 


Ditches  full  of  water,  drains,  streams : 
^  


Plate  27p. — Arrangement  of  a  large  ditch. 


Plate  27 q. — Arrangement  of  a  ditch  full  of  water. 


USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER 


69 


Ordinary  roads,  road  and  railroad  em- 
bankments, and  sunken  roads: 


Plate  27r. — Arrangement  of  an  ordinary  road  defended 
on  the  side  toward  the  enemy. 


Plate  27s. — Same  defended  from  the  rear. 


Plate  27t. — Road  embankment,  defended  from  the  rear. 


t 


70       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Plate  27u. — Arrangement  of  a  railroad  embankment. 


(2*  6") 

Plate  2 7 v. — Arrangement  of  a  sunken  road. 

Hedges  and  woods : 

Dig  a  trench  behind  the  hedge  and  throw 
the  earth  against  it ;  make  openings  in  the 
hedge  to  faciHtate  view  and  fire  (Plate 


USE  OF  NATURAL  COVER  71 


27 w).  If  the  hedge  is  low,  deepen  the 
trench,  but  make  the  parapet  lower  than 
the  hedge  which  masks  it. 


Plate  27w. — Arrangement  of  a  hedge. 


Plate  27x. — Arrangement  of  the  edge  of  a  wood. 


Avoid  destroying  the  natural  appearance 
of  the  wood ;  do  not  cut  the  trees  and  brush 
on  a  certain  depth,  but  cut  off  branches 


72       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

where  necessary  to  obtain  a  field  of  fire. 
Behind  this  strip  cut  the  brush  and  small 
trees  so  as  to  make  a  path  3  to  4  yards 
wide.  Construct  a  trench  behind  the  mask 
of  trees.  The  parapet  can  be  raised  up  to 
2  or  even  3  feet.  Construct  abatis  on  the 
parts  of  the  border  of  the  wood,  where  it 
will  not  interefe  with  the  fire. 
Walls : 


Plate  27y. — Arrangement  of  a  wall  2  feet  8  inches  high. 


6 

I 


Plate  27z. — Arrangement  of  a  wall  8  feet  high. 


Plate  28. — ^Arrangement  of  a  wall  more  than  8  feet  high 
without  making  loopholes. 


Plate  28a. — Arrangement  of  an  iron  fence 
built  on  a  low  wall. 


Chapter  VI 


REVETMENTS 

A  revetment  is  a  covering  or  facing 
placed  upon  an  earth  slope  to  enable  it 
to  stand  at  an  inclination  greater  than  it 
would  naturally  assume.  Sorne  revetments 
also  increase  the  tenacity  of  slopes  and 
diminish  the  injury  by  fire.  The  upper 
parts  of  revetments  that  may  be  struck  by 
projectiles  v^hich  penetrate  the  cover  of 
earth  must  not  be  made  of  materials  of 
large  units  which  will  splinter  when  struck. 
The  upper  part  of  the  revetments  is  tech- 
nically known  as  crowning. 

Sandbags 

Sandbags  are  made  of  coarse  canvas  or 
burlap.  They  are  33  inches  long  and  14 
inches  wide.  They  are  filled  loosely  with, 
earth  or  sand  about  ^  cubic  foot  to  a  bag. 
Having  been  placed  in  position  they  are 
pounded  down  with  a  shovel  to  a  rec- 
tangular form  when  they  will  fill  a  space 
about  20  by  13  by  5  inches. 

The  sandbag  revetment  is  constructed  by 
laying  alternate  rows  of  headers  and 
stretchers,  breaking  joints.  The  tied  ends 
of  the  headers  and  seams  of  the  stretchers 

74 


KEVETMENTS  75 

are  put  into  the  parapet.  Men  working  in 
pairs  lay  the  bags  and  set  them  firmly  in 
place  with  a  spade  or  mallet. 

The  advantages  are : 

1.  The  portability  of  the  empty  bags. 
Only  62  pounds  per  one  hundred  bags. 

2.  They  may  be  filled  with  any  kind  of 
soil. 

3.  They  are  rapidly  filled  and  easily 
placed  in  position. 

4.  They  are  invaluable  in  making  repairs. 

5.  They  will  not  splinter. 

The  only  disadvantage  is  that  they  are 
not  durable.  The  cloth  soon  goes  to  decay 
and  the  filling  material  crumbles  away. 

Plate  29  shows  the  appearance  of  a  sand- 
bag revetment  as  seen  from  the  front  and 
from  the  end. 


Plate  29. — Sandbag  revetment. 


76       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

A  squad  of  six  men  with  two  shovels  and 
one  pick  should  fill  150  bags  in  an  hour. 
One  man  uses  the  pick,  two  shovel  the  dirt 
into  the  bag,  one  holds  the  bag  open  and 
two  men  tie  the  bags.  Having  the  filled 
bags  ready  to  hand  ten  men  will  lay  75 
square  feet  of  revetment  in  an  hour.  Four 
men  lay  the  bags  and  flatten  them  out 
while  six  carry  them. 

■  Brush 

Brush  is  used  in  many  forms  for  revet- 
ting. Almost  any  kind  will  serve  the  pur- 
pose. For  weaving^  it  must  be  live  and  is 
most  pliable  when  not  in  leaf.  It  should 
not  be  more  than  1  inch  in  diameter  at  the 
butt.  When  cut  it  should  be  assorted  in 
sizes  for  the  dififerent  class  of  revetments. 
Poles  inches  in  diameter  are  cut  for 
the  supports. 

Fascines 

A  fascine  is  a  cylindrical  bundle  of 
brushwood  tightly  bound.  The  usual 
length  is  18  feet,  the  diameter  9  inches, 
and  the  weight  normally  about  140  pounds. 
Lengths  of  6  and  9  feet,  which  are  some- 
times used,  are  most  conveniently  obtained 


78       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFArE 

by  sawing  a  standard  fascine  into  two  or 
three  pieces. 

Fascines  are  made  in  a  cradle  which 
Consists  of  five  trestles,  the  outer  ones  be- 
ing 16  feet  apart.  The  trestle  is  made  by 
driving  two  sticks  about  6^^  feet  long  and 
3  inches  in  diameter  in  the  ground  and 
lashed  at  the  intersection  as  shown  in 
Plate  29a.  In  making  the  cradle,  plant  the 
two  end  trestles  first.  Stretch  a  line  from 
one  to  the  other  over  the  intersection.  Place 
the  others  4  feet  apart  and  lash  them  so 
that  each  intersection  comes  fairly  to  the 
line. 

To  build  a  fascine,  straight  pieces  of 
brush,  1  or  2  inches  at  the  butt,  are  laid 
«on,  the  butts  projecting  at  the  end  1  foot 
,t)eyond   the   trestle.     Leaves   should  be 
^stripped  and  unruly  branches  cut  off,  or 
partially  cut  through,  so  that  they  will  lie 
close.    The  larger,  straighter  brush  should 
be  laid  on  the  outside,  butts  alternating  in 
direction,  and  smaller  stuff  in  the  center. 
The  general  object  is  to  so  dispose  the 
brush  as  to  make  the  fascine  of  uniform 
size,  strength  and  stiffness  from  end  to 
end. 

When  the  cradle  is  nearly  filled,  the  fas- 


REVETMENTS 


79 


cine  is  compressed  or  choked  by  the  fascine 
choker  (Plate  30),  which  consists  of  two 
bars,  4  feet  long,  joined  18  inches  from 
the  ends  by  a  chain  4  feet  long.  The  chain 
is  marked,  at  14  inches  each  way  from  the 
middle  by  inserting  a  ring  or  special  link. 
To  use,  two  men  standing  on  opposite  sides 
pass  the  chain  tinder  the  brush,  place  the 
short  ends  of  the  handles  on  top  and  pass 
the  bars,  short  end  first,  across  to  each 
other.  They  then  bear  down  on  the  long 
ends  until  the  marks  on  the  chain  come  to- 
gether. Chokers  may  be  improvised  from 
sticks  and  rope  or  wire. 

Binding  will  be  done  with  a  double  turn 


pLAiE  30. — Method  of  using  the 
fascine  choker. 


80       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

of  wire  or  tarred  rope.  It  should  be  done 
in  twelve  places  18  inches  apart,  the  end 
binders  3  inches  outside  the  end  trestles. 
To  bind  a  fascine  will  require  66  feet  of 
wire. 

Improvised  binders  may  be  made  from 
rods  of  live  brush ;  hickory  or  hazel  is  the 
best.  Place  the  butt  under  the  foot  and 
twist  the  rod  to  partially  separate  the  fibers 
and  make  it  flexible.  A  rod  so  prepared  is 
called  a  withe.  To  use  a  withe,  make  a 
half-turn  and  twist  at  the  smaller  end. 
Pass  the  withe  around  the  brush  and  the 
large  end  through  the  eye.  Draw  taut  and 
double  the  large  end  back,  taking  two  half- 
hitches  over  its  own  standing  part. 

A  fascine  revetment  is  made  by  placing 


Plate  31. — Fascine  revetment. 


REVETMENTS 


81 


the  fascines  as  shown  in  Plate  31.  The 
use  of  headers  and  anchors  is  absolutely 
necessary  in  loose  soils  only,  but  they 
greatly  strengthen  the  revetment  in  any 
case.  A  fascine  revetment  must  always  be 
crowned  with  sod  or  bags. 

In  all  brush  weaving  the  following  terms 
have  been  adopted  and  are  convenient  to 
use : 

Randing. — Weaving  a  single  rod  in  and 
out  between  pickets. 

Slewing. — Weaving  two  or  more  rods  to- 
gether in  the  same  way. 

Pairing. — Carrying  two  rods  together, 
crossing  each  other  in  and  out  at  each 
picket. 

Wattling. — A  general  term  applied  to  the 
woven  part  of  brush  construction. 

A  hurdle  is  a  basket  work  made  of  brush- 
wood. If  made  in  pieces  the  usual  size  is 
2  feet  9  inches  by  6  feet,  though  the  width 
may  be  varied  so  that  it  will  cover  the  de- 
sired height  of  slope. 

A  hurdle  is  made  by  describing  on  the 
ground  an  arc  of  a  circle  of  8-foot  radius 
and  on  the  are  driving  ten  pickets,  8  inches 
apart,  covering  6  feet  out  to  out.  Brush  is 
then  woven  in  and  out  and  well  compacted. 


82       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

The  concave  side  of  a  hurdle  should  be 
placed  next  the  earth.  It  warps  less  than  if 
made  flat. 

In  weaving  the  hurdle,  begin  randing  at 
the  middle  space  at  the  bottom.  Reaching 
the  end,  twist  the  rod  as  described  for  a 
withe  but  at  one  point  only,  bend  it  around 
the  end  picket  and  work  back.    Start  a  sec- 


Plate  32.— Method  of  laying  out  hurdle. 


Plate  33. — Hurdle. 


REVETMENTS 


83 


ond  rod  before  the  first  one  is  quite  out, 
slewing  the  two  for  a  short  distance.  Ham- 
mer the  wattUng  down  snug  on  the  pickets 
with  a  block  of  wood  and  continue  until 
the  top  is  reached.  It  improves  the  hurdle 
to  finish  the  edges  with  two  selected  rods 
paired.  A  pairing  may  be  introduced  in 
the  middle,  if  desired,  to  give  the  hurdle 
extra  endurance  if  it  is  to  be  used  as 
a  pavement  or  floor.  If  the  hurdle  is 
not  to  be  used  at  once,  or  if  it  is  to  be 
transported,  it  must  be  sewed^  The  sew- 
ing is  done  with  wire,  twine  or  withes 
at  each  end  and  in  the  middle,  with 
stitches  about  6  inches  long,  as  shown 
in  Plate  33.  About  40  feet  of  wire 
is  required  to  sew  one  hurdle.  No.  14 
is  about  the  right  size,  and  a  coil  of  100 
pounds  will  sew  forty  hurdles.  Three  men 
should  make  a  hurdle  in  two  hours,  two 
wattling  and  the  third  preparing  the  rods. 

Continuous  Hurdle. — If  conditions  per- 
mit the  revetment  to  be  built  in  place,  the 
hurdle  is  made  continuous  for  considerable 
lengths.  The  pickets  may  be  larger;  they 
are  driven  further  apart,  12  or  18  inches, 
and  the  brush  may  be  heavier.  The  con- 
struction is  more  rapid.    The  pickets  are 


84       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

driven  with  a  little  more  slant  than  is  in- 
tended and  must  be  anchored  to  the  para- 
pet. A  line  of  poles,  with  wire  attached 
at  intervals  of  two  or  three  pickets,  will 
answer.  The  wires  should  be  made  fast  to 
the  pickets  after  the  wattling  is  done.  They 
will  interfere  with  the  weaving  if  fastened 
sooner.  Two  men  should  make  4  yards  of 
continuous  hurdling  of  ordinary  height  in 
one  hour. 

Brush  Revetment. — Pickets  may  be  set  as 
above  described  and  the  brush  laid  inside 
them  without  weaving,  being  held  in  place 
by  bringing  the  earth  up  with  it.  In  this 
case  the  anchors  must  be  fastened  before 
the  brush  laying  begins.  The  wires  are  not 
much  in  the  way  in  this  operation. 

Gabion  Making. — A  gabion  is  a  cylin- 
drical basket  with  open  ends,  made  of  brush 
woven  on  pickets  or  stakes  as  described  for 
hurdles.  The  usual  size  is  2  feet  outside 
diameter  and  2  feet  9  inches  height  of  watt- 
ling. On  account  of  the  sharp  curvature 
somewhat  better  brush  is  required  for 
gabions  than  will  do  for  hurdles.  The 
gabion  form  is  made  of  wood,  21  inches 
diameter,  with  equidistant  notches  around 
the  circumference,  equal  in  number  to  the 


REVETMENTS  85 


Plate  34. — Gabion. 


number  of  pickets  to  be  used,  usually  eight 
to  fourteen;  less  if  the  brush  is  large  and 
stiff,  more  if  small  and  pliable.  The  notches 
should  be  of  such  depth  that  the  pickets 
will  project  1  inch  outside  the  circle.  The 
pickets  should  be  to  2  inches  in  di- 
ameter, 3  feet  6  inches  long,  sharpened, 
half  at  the  small  and  half  at  the  large  end. 


Plate  35. 


86       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


To  Make  a  Gabion. — The  form  is  placed 
on  the  ground.  The  pickets  are  driven  ver- 
tically in  the  ground,  large  and  small  ends 
down,  alternately.   The  form  is  then  raised 


Plate  36. — Forming  the  gabion 
supports. 


a  foot  and  held  by  placing  a  lashing  around 
outside  the  pickets,  tightened  with  a  rack 
stick.    (See  Plate  36.) 

The  wattling  is  randed  or  slewed  from 
the  form  up.  The  form  is  then  dropped 
down,  the  gabion  inverted,  and  the  wattling 
completed.  If  the  brush  is  small,  uniform, 
and  pliable,  pairing  will  make  a  better  watt- 


REVETMENTS 


87 


ling  than  randing.  If  not  for  immediate 
use^  the  gabion  must  be  sewed  as  described 
for  hurdles,  the  same  quantity  of  wire  be- 
ing required. 

The  gabion,  when  wattled  and  sewed,  is 
completed  by  cutting  off  the  tops  of  the 
pickets,  1  inch  from  the  web,  the  bottom  3 
inches.  The  latter  are  sharpened  after  cut- 
ting and  driving  a  pairing  picket  through 
the  middle  of  its  length  and  a  little  to  one 
side  of  the  axis.  Three  men  should  make 
a  gabion  in  an  hour. 

Gabions  may  be  made  without  the  forms^ 
but  the  work  is  slower  and  not  so  good. 
The  circle  is  struck  on  the  ground  and  the 
pickets  driven  at  the  proper  points.  The 
weaving  is  done  from  the  ground  up.  The 
entire  time  of  one  man  is  required  to  keep 
the  pickets  in  their  proper  positions. 

If  brush  is  scarce,  gabions  may  be  made 
with  6  inches  of  wattling  at  each  end,  the 
middle  being  left  open.  In  filling,  the  open 
parts  may  be  lined  with  straw,  grass,  brush, 
or  grain  sacks  to  keep  the  earth  from  run- 
ning out. 

Gabion  Revetment. — The  use  of  gabions 
in  revetment  is  illustrated  in  Plate  37.  If 
more  than  two  tiers  are  used,  the  separat- 


88       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

ing  fascines  should  be  anchored  back. 
Gabion  revetment  should  be  crowned  with 
sod  or  sandbag. 

The  advantages  of  gabion  revetment  are 
very  great.   It  can  be  put  in  place  without 


Plate  37. — Methods  of  use  of  gabion. 


extra  labor,  faster  and  with  less  exposure 
than  any  other.  It  is  self-supporting  and 
gives  cover  from  view  and  partial  cover 
from  fire  quicker  than  any  other  form. 
Several  forms  of  gabions  made  of  material 
other  than  brush  have  been  used.  Some  of 
them  are  sheet  iron,  empty  barrels  and 
hoops.  The  disadvantages  of  iron  are  that 
it  splinters  badly,  is  heavy,  and  has  not 
given  satisfaction.  If  any  special  materials 
are  supplied,  the  methods  of  using  them 
will,  in  view  of  the  foregoing  explanation, 
be  obvious. 

Timber  or  Pole  Revetment. — Poles  too 


REVETMENTS 


89 


large  for  use  in  any  other  way  may  be  cut 
to  length  and  stood  on  end  to  form  a  re- 
vetment. The  lower  end  should  be  in  a 
small  trench  and  have  a  waling  piece  in 
front  of  them.  There  must  also  be  a  waling 
piece  or  cap  at  or  near  the  top,  anchored 
back.    Plate  38  shows  this  form. 

Miscellaneous  Revetments, — Any  recep- 
tacles for  earth  which  will  make  a  staple, 
compact  pile,  such  as  boxes,  baskets,  cans, 
etc.,  may  be  used  for  a  revetment.  Canvas 
or  burlap  stretched  behind  pickets  is  being 
used  to  a  great  extent  on  the  battle  fronts 
of  Europe.  If  the  soil  will  make  adobe,  an 
excellent  revetment  may  be  made  of  them, 
but  it  will  not  stand  wet  weather. 


Plate  38. — Timber  revetment. 


Chapter  VII 

WORKING  PARTIES 

The  infantryman  will  always  be  called 
upon  to  construct  the  trench  which  he  is 
to  occupy.  Each  company  is  provided  with 
portable  tools,  which  the  men  carry,  and 
each  infantry  regiment  is  provided  with 
tools  for  the  purpose.  The  digging  tools 
consist  of  picks  and  shovels. 

When  it  has  been  decided  to  locate  fire 
trenches  along  a  certain  line  officers  will 
lay  out  the  cutting  lines  and  mark  them  ^ 
with  tape  or  otherwise.  A  company  will  be 
assigned  for  the  construction  of  a  definite 
section  of  the  trench. 

Let  us  work  out  the  procedure,  assuming 
that  the  work  may  go  on  unmolested  by  the 
enemy.  Such,  however,  is  not  usually  the 
case.  The  enemy  will  do  anything  in  his 
power  to  prevent  construction  work.  If, 
however,  we  are  familiar  with  the  details 
of  the  work  and  know  how  to  go  about  it 
in  an  orderly  and  systematic  manner  under 
conditions  of  noninterference  by  the  enemy, 
we  will  be  able  to  carry  out  these  details  of 
organization  and  procedure  under  more  or 
less  trying  conditions  when  the  time  comes. 

90 


WORKING  PARTIES 


91 


Officers  have  established  the  trace  of  the 
trench  and  marked  the  cutting  lines.  It  is 
the  ordinary  traversed  type,  18  feet  bays 
with  traverses  5  feet  wide  and  5  feet  deep, 
as  shown  in  Plate  14. 

The  company  is  composed  of,  say,  twelve 
squads  organized  into  three  platoons  of  four 
squads  each.  Six  bays  of  the  trench  have 
been  assigned  to  the  organization  for  con- 
struction. This  gives  a  task  to  each  platoon 
of  two  bays,  including  one  complete  traverse 
and  a  half  traverse  on  each  flank. 

Tools  have  been  issued  to  the  first  and 
third  squads  of  each  platoon,  the  front  rank 
men  carrying  picks  and  the  rear  rank  men 
shovels. 

The  company  is  marched  in  column  of 
squads  to  the  site  of  the  trench,  approach- 
ing it  from  the  rear,  and  halted  with  the 
head  of  the  column  fifteen  paces  in  rear  of 
and  opposite  the  right  of  the  section  as- 
signed; that  is,  in  rear  of  the  first  bay  of 
the  section.  The  second  platoon  is  then 
conducted  by  the  platoon  commander  and 
halted  with  its  head  opposite  the  third  bay. 
The  third  platoon  is  in  like  manner  con- 
ducted to  the  rear  of  the  fifth  bay.  Each 
platoon  commander  then  has  the  two  rear 


92       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


squads  of  his  platoon,  conducted  to  a  point 
behind  the  bay  on  his  left,  i.  e,,  the  second, 
fourth  and  sixth  respectively.  This  allows 
two  squads  for  the  work  in  each  bay,  the 
leading  squad  furnishing  the  first  relief  and 
the  rear  squad  the  second. 

The  leading  squad  of  each  column  is  then 
marched  to  a  point  two  paces  in  rear  of  the 
rear  cutting  line  of  the  trench,  where  they 
take  off  their  packs  and  lay  their  rifles  on 
them.  The  corporal  and  his  rear  rank  man 
fall  out.  The  corporal  assigns  tasks,  num- 
ber ones  to  the  first  2-vard  section,  number 
twos  to  the  second  and  number  threes  the 
third. 

The  tasks  are  shown  in  Plate  39.  The 
corporal  superintends  the  work.  Number 
4  rear  rank  marks  out  the.  cutting  lines  with 
his  shovel  around  the  traverses  and  starts 
work  on  them. 

Experience  has  shown  that  the  best 
method  of  dividing  up  the  work  is  to  group 
the  men  in  pairs,  one  man  with  a  pick  and 
one  with  a  shovel  and  to  prescribe  that  they 
relieve  each  other. 

The  leading  squads  assigned  to  each  bay 
work  at  top  speed  for  30  minutes.  At  the 
end  of  the  twenty-eighth  minute  the  cor- 


o 


94       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

poral  of  the  rear  squad  brings  his  men  up 
and  deploys  them.  At  a  signal  from  the 
platoon  commander  the  men  of  the  first 
and  third  squads  drop  their  tools,  get  out 
of  the  trench,  and  proceed  to  the  rear, 
where  they  rest.  The  men  of  the  second 
and  fourth  squads  jump  into  the  trench  and 
take  up  the  task.  At  the  end  of  another 
30  minutes  this  procedure  is  again  carried 
out. 

This  scheme  of  assigning  tasks  and  pro- 
cedure was  given  an  exhaustive  test  in  1915 
in  the  course  of  testing  out  various  types 
of  intrenching  tools.  It  worked  to  perfec- 
tion. 

The  bays  are  first  completed,  after  which 
the  traverses  begun  by  No.  4  rear  rank  are 
finished  up.  Great  care  should  be  taken  to 
make  the  dimensions  of  the  trench  as  accu- 
rate as  possible.  The  squad  leader  is  held 
responsible  for  this.  He  should  provide 
himself  with  two  sticks.  On  one  the  fol- 
lowing lengths  are  laid  off:  1  foot,  width 
of  berms,  and  height  of  parapet;  1  foot  4 
inches,  width  of  firing  banquet,  height  of 
firing  banquet  above  bottom  of  trench,  and 
width  of  bottom  of  trench.  The  other  stick 
has  the  following  lengths  measured  on  it: 


WORKING  PARTIES 


95 


4  feet,  depth  of  trench  from  ground  surface 
to  the  top  of  firing  banquet;  5  feet  4  inches, 
depth  of  trench  from  ground  surface  to 
bottom  of  trench.  (See  Plate  15  for  di- 
mensions of  standing  trench.) 

When  the  circumstances  are  such  that 
the  work  of  trench  construction  is  inter- 
fered with  by  the  enemy,  a  modification  of 
the  system  outHned  here  will  have  to  be 
made,  but  the  details  should  be  adhered  to 
as  closely  as  possible. 

When  night  work  is  necessary  the  trace 
should  be  staked  out  before  complete  dark- 
ness sets  in.  If  the  trace  can  only  be  made 
after  dark,  visible  reference  points  needed 
with  white  paper,  white  tape  or  screened 
flashlights  may  be  utilized.  Stick  to  the  de- 
tails of  the  deployment,  the  laying  out  of 
tasks  and  the  procedure  as  indicated  for 
day  work  as  closely  as  possible.  Avoid 
making  any  more  noise  than  is  absolutely 
necessary;  allow  no  smoking  and  require 
such  conversation  as  is  necessary  to  be  made 
in  whispers.  Protect  the  workers  by  a  sys- 
tem of  patrols  to  the  front. 

Noncommissioned  officers  are  held  re- 
sponsible  for   a   systematic   and  orderly 


96       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

execution  of  the  work  being  performed  by 
their  units.  The  captain  cannot  be  every- 
where along  the  line.  He  has  to  depend 
upon  the  platoon  and  squad  leaders  in  the 
work.  That  is  why  you  should  study  it 
and  know  about  it  so  as  to  be  able  to  make 
good  when  the  time  comes. 


Chapter  VIII 


GRENADE  WARFARE 

The  use  of  hand  grenades  as  an  imple- 
ment of  warfare  dates  back  many  centuries. 
History  records  their  use  as  far  back  as 
1536.  Up  to  the  close  of  the  eighteenth 
century  soldiers  were  trained  in  the  throw- 
ing of  hand  grenades,  and  for  this  reason 
were  called  ^'grenadiers."  At  first  there  were 
a  few  in  each  regiment,  later  entire  com- 
panies were  formed,  and  finally  each  in- 
fantry unit  that  corresponds  to  our  bat- 
talion of  today  had  its  own  grenadier  unit. 

Then  there  was  a  period  of  time  when 
more  open  formations  were  adopted,  when 
there  was  less  opportunity  for  the  employ- 
ment of  grenades  and  their  use  was  prac- 
tically eliminated  from  the  battlefield  and 
confined  to  sieges,  where  they  have  been 
used  more  or  less  since  the  dawn  of  mili- 
tary history. 

With  the  advent  of  the  Russo-Japanese 
War  came  the  extensive  use  of  trenches  on 
the  battlefield,  and  with  the  trenches  came 
the  hand  grenades  which  were  used  in  large 
quantities  by  both  sides.  This  was  espe- 
cially the  case  when  the  fighting  lines  came 

97 


98       ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

to  close  quarters  and  in  the  assaults  against 
the  forts  at  Port  Arthur. 

When  the  European  war  resolved  itself 
into  trench  warfare,  such  as  it  is  today,  the 
use  of  hand-thrown  projectiles  assumed  an 
importance  heretofore  never  attained,  and 
today  we  find  ourselves  employing  hand 
grenades  in  every  phase  of  the  conflict. 

Employment  of  Grenadiers 

Grenadiers  are  employed  on  both  the 
offensive  and  defensive.  They  accompany 
the  attacking  lines  in  the  advance  on  the 
enemy's  position,  they  clear  the  fire 
trenches  and  communication  trenches  after 
parts  of  the  enemy's  lines  have  been  taken, 
and  on  the  defense  they  assist  the  riflemen 
in  repelling  attack  and  engage  the  enemy 
whenever  he  has  obtained  a  lodgment  in 
the  trenches. 

Organization 

While  every  infantryman  receives  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  instruction  in  grenade 
throwing,  there  should  be  a  grenadier  squad 
in  each  platoon  specially  instructed  and 
trained  in  this  most  effective  auxiliary 
method  of  trench  warfare.  Not  all  men 
possess  the  temperament  and  qualifications 


Method  of  c/earing  Fire  Trenches 
by  6renad/er  Sfuads- 


f\  TE  40. 


legend: 

d)  Bayonet  Man 
@  Grenade  Thrower 
®  Grenade  Carrier 
6  Squad  Leader 
iJ]  Barricader 


9 


i 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


99 


necessary  to  make  efficient  grenadiers. 
Hence  the  personnel  of  the  grenadier  squad 
should  be  carefully  selected.  Strong  phy- 
sique, personal  courage  and  steadiness  in 
emergencies  are  the  qualifications  that 
count.  Men  fond  of  outdoor  sports,  other 
things  being  equal,  will  be  found  the  best. 

The  grenadier  squad  is  organized  as  fol- 
lows : 

Front  Rank. 

No.  1.  First  bayonet  man. 
No.  2.  Second  bayonet  man. 
No.  3.  Grenade  thrower. 
No.  4.  Squad  leader,  observer  and  di- 
rector. 

Rear  Rank, 

No.  1.  First  carrier. 
No.  2.  Second  carrier. 
No.  3.  Barricader. 
No.  4.  Barricader. 

Duties 

The  duties  of  the  several  members  of  the 
squad  vary  under  different  circumstances 
of  their  tactical  employment  which  will  be 
fully  explained  below.  In  general  they  are 
as  follows: 

Bayonet  Men. — The  bayonet  men  move  in 


100     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

advance  of  the  grenade  throwers.  When 
the  grenade  thrower  has  thrown  his  gren- 
ades into  the  objective  trench  the  bayonet 
men  must  be  ready  to  take  instant  advan- 
tage of  the  temporary  demoraHzation  of  the 
enemy  caused  by  the  explosions  and  clear 
the  way  for  a  repetition  of  the  operation. 

Grenade  Thrower. — The  grenade  thrower 
must  be  ready  and  able  to  throw  a  grenade 
at  once  whenever  the  bayonet  men  or  squad 
leader  may  direct. 

Squad  Leader. — The  squad  leader  directs 
the  operations  of  the  squad.  He  goes  wher- 
ever his  presence  is  necessary.  He  keeps 
a  close  watch  to  the  flanks.  He  replaces 
casualties  and  attends  to  the  forwarding  of 
grenades  to  the  thrower.  He  acts  as  a 
grenade  thrower  whenever  he  can  assist 
the  operations  in  that  capacity. 

Carriers. — The  carriers  carry  as  many 
grenades  as  possible,  and  when  their  sup- 
ply is  exhausted  they  go  to  the  reserve 
depots  and  replenish.  They  are  responsible 
for  a  continuous  supply  of  grenades  to  the 
throwers. 

Barricaders. — The  barricaders  are 
charged  with  the  construction  of  barricades. 
They  carry  sandbags  and  tools  for  filling 


102-    ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

During  the  course  of  the  artillery  prep- 
aration grenadier  squads  work  their  way 
across  *'no  man's  land''  and  establish  them- 
selves sufficiently  close  to  throw  grenades 
into  the  fire  trenches.  Failing  in  this  they 
accompany  the  assaulting  troops. 

When  they  are  able  to  work  up  close 
they  cover  the  advance  of  the  infantry  as- 
saulting lines  by  showering  grenades  into 
the  enemy's  fire  trenches  after  the  curtain 
of  artillery  fire  has  been  extended  back 
into  his  position  to  prevent  the  supports 
and  reserves  from  coming  up  to  the  front. 

All  men  of  the  squad  carry  as  many  gren- 
ades as  possible  and  such  number  as  the 
squad  leader  may  designate  act  as  throw- 
ers, while  the  others  act  as  carriers  and 
prepare  the  grenades  for  throwing.  Ac- 
curate throwing,  properly  observed  and  dis- 
tributed, will  greatly  assist  in  preparing  for 
a  successful  assault. 

CLEARING  Fire  Trenches 

No  matter  how  well  the  infantry  assault 
on  the  enemy's  fire  trenches  may  be  con- 
ducted, it  rarely  succeeds  in  occupying  the 
hostile  position  throughout  its  entire  length. 
Casualties,  loss  of  direction,  and  unexpected 


GRENADE  WARFARE  103 

obstacles  encountered  are  bound  to  break 
up  the  assaulting  line  more  or  less,  thereby 
leaving  gaps  in  the  captured  position.  Fur- 
thermore the  attack  on  a  line  of  trenches 
takes  place  on  a  relatively  small  front  by  a 
large  number  of  men.  When  the  trenches 
are  finally  reached  and  a  lodgment  effected 
there  will  be  great  overcrowding.  Provi- 
sion must  be  made  immediately  for  extend- 
ing the  line^  otherwise  the  casualties  at 
these  points  will  be  exceedingly  heavy. 

It  is  the  particular  duty  of  the  grenadier 
squads  to  clear  these  ''gaps''  of  the  enemy 
as  quickly  as  possible.  For  this  purpose  an 
efficient  and  well-organized  storming  party 
must  be  immediately  available. 

Let  us  say  that,  after  careful  artillery 
preparation,  the  assault  has  reached  the 
enemy's  fire  trench.  There  is  much  over- 
crowding at  the  points  where  lodgments 
have  been  effected.  There  is  a  gap  in  the 
line  between  two  adjacent  elements.  How 
is  this  cleared  of  the  enemy? 

The  grenadier  squad  immediately  forms 
for  action.  Two  bayonet  men  are  in  the 
lead,  followed  by  the  grenade  thrower,  who 
is  in  turn  followed  by  the  two  carriers. 
Further  to  the  rear  are  the  two  barricaders, 


104     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

who  carry  a  reserve  supply  of  grenades  in 
addition  to  their  sandbags  and  shovels.  The 
squad  leader  is  where  he  can  best  direct  the 
operations. 

The  grenadier  squad  is  formed  as  shown 
in  the  first  position,  Plate  40. 

1.  The  grenade  thrower  puts  grenades: 
(1)  into  bay  1,  at  A;  (2)  into  bay  2,  at  D; 
(3)  into  bay  1,  at  B;  (4)  into  the  traverse 
leg  at  C, 

2.  When  the  four  grenades  have  ex- 
ploded the  bayonet  men  rush  into  bay  1,  the 
leader  advancing  into  the  first  leg  of  the 
traverse  trench  below  B,  while  his  mate  re- 
mains in  the  bay  for  a  moment. 

3.  The  squad  leader  rushes  around  the 
traverse  to  A,  followed  by  the  grenade 
thrower. 

4.  When  the  bay  and  the  next  traverse 
passages  are  all  cleared  of  the  enemy  the 
word  ''O.  K."  is  passed  back  to  the  squad 
leader  by  the  bayonet  men.  The  bayonet 
men  get  into  their  proper  positions  and  the 
remainder  of  the  squad  rush  into  the  cleared 
bay  1  and  prepare  for  the  further  clearing 
of  succeeding  bays  in  the  same  manner  as 
described  above. 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


105 


Take  the  diagram  on  Plate  40.  Study  it 
out  in  connection  with  the  text  and  you  will 
see  how  this  system  works  out. 

The  men  work  in  pairs,  the  two  bayonet 
men  together;  the  two  carriers  behind  the 
thrower;  the  two  barricaders  sufficiently  far 
to  the  rear  to  be  protected  by  a  corner  of 
solid  earth.  The  squad  leader  must  of  ne- 
cessity go  where  his  presence  is  necessary. 
Usually  he  stays  as  near  the  grenade 
thrower  as  possible. 

When  the  enemy's  grenadier  parties  are 
also  very  active  in  the  sector,  the  distances 
between  pairs  are  extended  so  that  no  more 
than  two  men  are  exposed  in  any  one  bay 
or  traverse  leg. 

The  formation  of  the  squad  must  be  pre- 
served as  long  as  possible.  You  will  appre- 
ciate that  when  losses  occur  the  squad 
leader  will  have  to  replace  men  and  the 
formation  will  have  to  be  modified  to  meet 
the  changed  conditions.  This  makes  it  ab- 
solutely necessary  that  every  member  of  the 
squad  be  competent  to  take  over  the  duties 
of  any  other  member. 

When  the  squad  has  reached  the  limit  of 
its  advance  the  barricaders  will  come  for- 
ward and  construct  a  barricade  in  such 


106     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

position  that  it  is  well  in  view  from  a  corner 
some  distance  behind. 

No  passing  of  bombs  forward  from  man 
to  man  is  permitted.  When  the  first  car- 
rier's supply  is  exhausted  he  returns  to  the 
rear  to  secure  a  fresh  supply  from  the  re- 
serve grenade  carriers  who  are  following 
the  grenade  squad,  and  who  have  by  now 
advanced  to  a  point  where  their  supply  is 
available.  As  soon  as  his  supply  is  replen- 
ished he  returns  to  his  proper  position  in 
the  formation.  Should  the  second  carrier 
run  out  of  grenades  the  squad  leader  may 
cause  one  of  the  barricaders  to  take  all  the 
grenades  in  the  possession  of  the  two  and 
replace  him  while  he  goes  to  the  rear  to 
secure  a  fresh  supply. 

In  the  meantime  other  grenadier  squads 
are  clearing  out  the  communication  and 
supervision  trenches,  blocking  up  the  exits 
to  dugouts  and  destroying  machine-gun  de- 
tachments that  have  thus  far  escaped.  The 
assaulting  troops  have  passed  on  towards 
the  second  line,  covered  by  the  curtain  of 
fire  of  the  artillery. 

Clearing  Communication  Trenches 
The  clearing  of  communication  trenches 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


107 


is  effected  much  in  the  same  manner  as  ex- 
plained for  the  fire  trench.  The  grenadier 
squad  is  organized  and  formed  in  the  same 
manner.  The  squad  works  its  way  into  the 
communication  trench  by  bombing  each  leg 
until  they  arrive  at  a  point  where  the  for- 
mation, as  illustrated  in  Plate  41,  can  be 
assumed.  The  grenade  thrower  throws 
grenades  into  the  trench  at  B  and  then  at 
C.  As  soon  as  these  have  exploded  the  bay- 
onet men  take  advantage  of  the  confusion 
to  advance  into  the  leg  A-B  under  cover  of 
the  shoulder  b,  the  squad  leader  and 
thrower  advance  to  A,  the  carriers  to  the 
point  formerly  occupied  by  the  squad  leader, 
and  the  barricaders  to  the  point  formerly 
occupied  by  the  carriers.  The  thrower 
then  puts  grenades  into  the  trench  at  C 
and  then  at  D,  after  which  the  whole  squad 
advances  another  notch  as  formerly  ex- 
plained. 

Where  island  traverses  are  encountered 
the  thrower  puts  a  grenade  on  each  side  of 
the  traverse  and  one  in  the  rear  of  it.  The 
bayonet  men,  one  on  a  side,  assault  around 
the  traverse  and  meet  on  the  far  side,  and 
the  operation  proceeds  as  heretofore  ex- 
plained. 


108   elements  of  trench  warfare 

Night  Operations 

The  grenadier  squads  may  be  called  upon 
at  night,  to  perform  any  of  the  services 
that  are  theirs  by  day,  and  in  addition  may 
be  called  upon  to  make  night  reconnais- 
sances. For  this  work  the  men  must  be 
able  to  organize  and  reorganize  the  squad 
quickly  and  noiselessly.  The  throwers  must 
be  particularly  efficient.  There  must  be  the 
highest  order  of  team  work. 

Grenadier  Patrols 

.  Grenadier  patrols  are  sent  out  at  night  to 
inake  reconnaissances  of  the  enemy's  lines 
with  a  view  to  getting  information  which 
may  include : 

1.  Location  and  organization  of  line. 

2.  The  length  of  line  occupied. 

3.  Numbers  and  disposition  of  occupy- 
ing troops. 

4.  To  get  an  acurate  description  of  the 

groundo 

5.  To  locate  observation  and  listening 
posts  or  any  other  advanced  positions. 

6.  To  locate  machine  guns. 

These  patrols  may  consist  of  from  two 
men  to  the  entire  grenadier  squad.    In  a 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


109 


patrol  of  six  or  eight  men  two  of  them 
carry  rifles  and  belts,  bayonets  fixed.  The 
remaining  members  of  the  patrol  carry  no 
equipment  except  a  haversack  filled  with 
grenades.  The  grenades  are  used  only  in 
case  of  emergency.  It  is  a  reconnoitering 
patrol  charged  with  gaining  information 
and  therefore  does  not  enter  into  an  en- 
counter with  the  enemy  except  as  a  last 
resort. 

The  men  move  or  crawl  without  noise 
and  take  advantage  of  all  cover  that  the 
ground  affords.  If  they  suspect  they  are 
observed,  they  should  ''freeze''  to  the 
ground  and  remain  absolutely  motionless. 
On  dark  nights  it  is  easy  to  lose  the  direc- 
tion and  for  the  men  to  lose  one  another. 
Every  device  or  scheme  to  lessen  risks  in 
this  respect  must  be  employed.  The  men 
may  tie  themselves  lightly  together  so  they 
will  not  proceed  in  a  bunch  and  at  the  same 
time  retain  connection  with  each  other. 

Notes  on  Grenade  Warfare 

The  first  step  in  the  training  of  a  gren- 
adier is  to  overcome  his  fear  of  the  grenade 
itself.  This  is  accomplished  by  first  hav- 
ing him  practice  fuse  lighting  with  dummy 


110     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

grenades  having  live  fuses.  The  men  will 
be  impressed  with  the  fact  that  the  gren- 
ades are  dangerous  weapons  and  that 
familiarity  in  handling  them  must  not  be 
permitted  to  degenerate  into  carelessness. 

The  next  step  towards  efficiency  is  the 
development  of  accuracy  of  throwing.  For 
short  distances  it  may  be  lobbed  from  the 
shoulder  by  a  motion  similar  to  ''putting 
the  shot."  Stick  grenades  may  be  thrown 
for  a  short  distance  like  throwing  a  dart. 
In  the  trenches  the  grenade  should  be 
thrown  with  an  overhand  motion  like  the 
bowler  of  a  cricket  ball,  as  there  is  danger 
of  exploding  them  by  knocking  the  hand 
against  the  back  of  the  trench. 

The  men  should  be  taught  to  throw  from 
all  positions  —  standing,  sitting,  kneeling 
and  prone. 

Should  the  grenade  with  a  time  fuse  be 
dropped  in  the  act  of  throwing,  there  is  time 
to  pick  it  up  and  throw  it  out  of  the  trench 
before  it  explodes.  Under  no  circumstances 
must  it  be  allowed  to  explode  in  the  trench. 

Communication  throughout  the  squad  in 
action  should  be  maintained  at  all  times. 
System  is  required  to  insure  the  throwers 
having  a  supply  of  grenades  on  hand  all  the 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


in 


time  and  that  casualties  are  promptly  re- 
placed. 

Quick  action  is  essential  to  success. 
Crawling  and  stalking  give  the  enemy  what 
he  is  waiting  for. 

Arrangements  to  assist  a  storming  party 
by  rifle  and  machine-gun  fire  are  of  the 
utmost  value  and  should  be  provided  when^ 
ever  possible.  Care  must  be  taken  to  pro^ 
vide  a  signal  which  will  mark  the  progress 
of  the  storming  party  through  the  trenches. 
A  helmet  held  up  on  a  bayonet  will  do  this. 

All  grenadiers  must  be  especially  trained 
in  the  filling  of  sandbags  and  making  sand- 
bag barricades. 

The  work  of  the  observer  is  difficult  and 
requires  much  practice.  He  must  give  his 
directions  to  the  thrower  in  no  uncertain 
terms.  When  the  thrower  has  missed  his 
objective  the  observer  will  give  positive  di- 
rections for  the  next  throw.  Instead  of 
saying  ''A  yard  too  much  to  the  left,"  he 
will  say,  "Throw  a  yard  to  the  right."  Posi- 
tive directions,  even  if  only  half  heard,  are 
of  some  use ;  negative  directions  are  certain 
to  be  both  confused  and  confusing.  The 
observer  should  be  expert  in  the  use  of  the 
periscope. 


112   elements  of  trench  warfare 

Hand  Grenades  and  Petards 

The  hand  grenade  used  by  our  alHes  on 
the  western  front  is  the  bracelet  grenade 
with  automatic  firing  mechanism  and  con- 
sists of  a  ball  of  cast  iron  filled  with  an 
explosive  and  of  a  leather  bracelet  which  is 
fastened  to  the  wrist.  To  the  bracelet  is 
attached  a  piece  of  rope  about  30  centi- 
meters long,  having  an  iron  hook  at  its  end. 

Just  before  the  grenade  is  thrown,  the 
hook  is  engaged  in  the  ring  of  the  rough- 
ened wire  of  the  friction  primer  placed 
inside  the  fuse  plug  which  closes  the  cast 
iron  ball.  A\"hen  the  grenade  is  thrown, 
the  ring  with  the  primer  wire,  held  back 
by  the  hook  of  the  bracelet,  is  wrenched 
olt  by  a  sudden  movement  of  withdrawal 
from  the  wrist  and  the  fuse  is  fired.  The 
explosion  takes  place  four  or  five  seconds 
later. 

This  grenade  is  supplied  to  the  fighting 
zone  ready  for  use.  It  is  quite  complicated. 
It  can  be  thrown  about  25  meters. 

The  German  grenade  is  composite ;  it  can 
be  thrown  by  hand  or  fired  from  a  rifle.  As 
a  hand  missile,  it  is  used  at  short  distances, 
15  to  20  meters.  It  is  composed  of  a  cop- 
per rod  to  the  extremity  of  which  is  fixed  a 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


113 


cast  iron  cylinder,  grooved  to  facilitate  its 
breaking  into  small  pieces  at  the  moment 
of  explosion.  The  explosive  is  placed  in- 
side this  cylinder.  A  copper  tube,  also  con- 
taining some  explosive,  is  placed  in  the 
interior.  It  is  surmounted  by  a  complicated 
system  for  closing  the  grenade  and  for 
automatic  ignition  by  percussion,  which  re- 
sults in  at  least  50  per  cent,  of  misfires. 


Plate  41b. — British  hand  grenade  No.  1. 

a.  Removable  cap.  /.  Handle. 

b.  Detonator  holder.  g.  Safety  pin. 

c.  Detonator.  Ii.  Firing  pin. 

d.  Explosive  charge.  i.  Cast  iron  ring. 

e.  Wood  block.  /.  Streamer. 

Used  with  the  rifle,  this  grenade  has  a 
maximum  range  of  400  meters.  At  the  ex- 
tremity opposite  the  grenade,  the  copper  rod 
ends  in  a  copper  stem  about  3  centimeters 
in  length,  movable  about  the  axis  of  the 


Plate    41c. — The    latest  type 
British   hand  grenade. 

a.  Percussion  cap. 

b.  Firing  pin. 

c.  Safety  pin.  When  in  place 
prevents  firing  pin  from  strik- 
ing primer.  It  is  removed  just 
before  throwing  the  grenade. 

d.  Primer. 

e.  Chamber  filled  with  high 
explosive. 

/.  Cast  iron  shell,  serrated. 
g.  Wooden  handle. 
Ii.  Streamers,    to    keep  the 
grenade  head-on. 


GRENADE  WARFARE  115 


rod.  This  stem  is  covered  with  a  copper 
sleeve  of  sUght  thickness,  which  is  attached 
to  it  only  at  the  extremity  fastened  to  the 
rod.  The  diameter  of  the  exterior  of  the 
sleeve  must  be  such  that  it  can  be  pushed 
into  the  gun  barrel  without  pressure.  To 
fire  the  grenade,  a  blank  cartridge  is  placed 
in  the  chamber  of  the  rifle;  the  quantity  of 
powder  left  in  the  cartridge  is  regulated 
according  to  the  distance  at  which  the 
missile  is  to  be  thrown.  At  the  moment 
of  firing,  the  explosive  gases  penetrate  be- 
tween the  sleeve  and  the  stem  and  jam  the 
sleeve  against  the  grooves  of  the  barrel. 
The  sleeve  and  the  stem,  which  is  attached 
to  it,  take  a  movement  of  rotation  in  the 
grooves  of  the  barrel,  which  insures  the 
direction  of  the  missile  and  the  maximum 
efficiency  of  the  explosive  gases  of  the  cart- 
ridge. 

The  bracelet  grenade  and  the  German 
grenade  just  described  have  to  be  made  in 
a  factory.  Attempts  have  been  made  to 
construct  similar  missiles  with  the  explo- 
sives which  are  at  hand  at  the  front,  ched- 
dite  and  melinite.  Several  kinds  have  been 
made :  a  primed  cartridge  and  a  primed 
hand  petard,  fitted  on  a  wooden  paddle,  a 


116    ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

preserved  meat  tin  can  filled  with  explo- 
sive, etc. 

The  Germans  have  hand  petards  similar 
to  those  of  the  Allies  but  with  different 
explosives.  These  missiles  are  primed  by  a 
detonator  and  a  slow  match  and  can  be 
thrown  about  30  meters.  The  discharge 
takes  place  either  automatically  or  by  tinder. 
They  are  made  on  the  spot  and  very  rap- 
idly. The  assaulting  troops  carry  them  in 
baskets  or  strung  on  a  circle  of  wire  carried 
on  the  shoulder. 


Plate  41d. — Throwing  hand  grena-ioj.. 


GRENADE  WARFARE 


117 


Grenades  and  petards  constitute  a  terrible 
weapon.  The  projectiles  exert  considerable 
moral  effect  owing  to  the  violence  of  their 
explosion  and  the  awful  wounds  they  occa- 
sion, and  they  make  it  possible  to  reach  the 
enemy  at  points  where  it  is  impossible  to 
use  the  rifle  and  bayonet. 


I 


Chapter  IX 

GAS  WARFARE 

Germany  first  made  use  of  poisonous  and 
asphyxiating  gases  on  the  field  of  battle. 
It  has  become  an  accepted  element  in  the 
present  war.  Every  soldier  should,  there- 
fore, have  a  knowledge  of  the  various  ways 
in  which  gas  is  employed  in  the  attack,  as 
well  as  the  measures  to  be  taken  to  coun- 
teract its  effect  in  the  defense. 

The  two  methods  of  disseminating  the 
gas  over  the  battlefield  are  by  emanation  - 
;and  grenades  charged  with  it. 

Emanation 

This  method  has  for  its  object  to  create 
a  poisonous  or  irritant  atmosphere.  This  is 
accomplished  by  means  of  the  arsenic  and 
phosphorous  gas  being  forced  through  tubes 
in  the  direction  of  the  enemy  or  by  means 
of  liquefied  chlorine,  bromide,  phosgene  and 
sulphuretted  hydrogen  gas  stored  in  cylin- 
ders under  high  pressure.  To  be  success- 
ful the  gas  attack  must  be  attended  by  the 
following  conditions : 

1.  The  weather  must  be  comparatively 
calm  with  a  wind  blowing  in  the  direction 

118 


GAS  WARFARE 


119 


of  the  enemy  at  about  5  miles  an  hour.  If 
the  wind  is  too  strong  the  gas  will  be  car- 
ried over  the  enemy's  trenches  so  rapidly 
that  it  will  not  settle  in  them.  If  the  wind 
be  too  light  the  gas  will  be  carried  up  intc 
the  air  and  disseminate  or  may  even  be 
blown  back  into  our  own  trenches,  in  which 
case  chloride  of  lime  scattered  about  freely 
will  disperse  them. 

2.  There  must  be  no  rain,  for  that  would 
quickly  disseminate  the  gas  and  negative  the 
effect. 

3.  The  attack  must  come  as  a  surprise. 
If  the  elements  of  surprise  are  missing  and 
the  enemy  has  time  to  take  protective  meas- 
ures, the  effect  is  lost.  If  the  surprise  is 
complete,  the  enemy  trenches  should  be 
emptied  very  quickly. 

4.  The  gas  used  must  be  heavier  than  the 
air,  so  that  it  will  sift  into  the  enemy's 
trenches  as  it  passes  them.  It  is  imprac- 
ticable to  decide  upon  any  definite  hour  for 
launching  the  gas  attack.  Everything  de- 
pends upon  the  direction  and  velocity  of 
the  wind.  If  an  hour  has  been  tentatively 
designated  and  the  wind  changes,  the  at- 
tack will  have  to  be  postponed. 


120     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

When  an  assault  follows  the  gas  attack 
the  men  should  wear  the  smoke  helmets  for 
^  at  least  30  minutes  after  the  dissemination 
has  ceased;  in  fact  they  must  not  be  re- 
moved until  the  order  to  do  so  is  given  by 
the  officer  commanding  the  attack.  You 
will  appreciate  that  the  enemy's  machine 
gunners  may  have  better  protection  than 
the  men  in  the  bays  of  the  trenches. 

Shell  and  Grenade  Method 

In  this  method  the  gas  dissemination  is 
effected  by  means  of  shells  or  bombs  being 
fired  into  the  enemy's  trenches  containing 
the  desired  substances  which  are  released 
and  give  off  irritant  fumes  on  explosion. 
The  grenades  used  weigh  about  1  pound. 
They  are  similar  in  appearance  to  the  or- 
dinary tin  can  grenade.  Their  effect  in  a 
trench  will  continue  for  20  to  30  minutes. 
In  the  attack  a  large  number  should  be  con- 
centrated in  a  particular  area  to  produce  a 
large  volume  of  gas.  They  are  thrown  by 
hand,  trench  mortar  or  catapult. 

Defense 

Surprise  must  be  guarded  against  in 
every  possible  way.    The  direction  of  the 


GAS  WARFARE 


121 


wind  must  be  continually  watched,  and 
when  its  velocity  and  direction  are  spe- 
cially favorable  the  protective  measures 
must  be  kept  ready  for  instant  use  and  spe- 
cial observers  posted.  Previous  to  an  at- 
tack the  enemy  may  remain  comparatively 
quiet  for  several  days.  Noises  like  the 
moving  of  sheet  iron  may  be  heard.  Pre- 
parations may  be  observed  along  the  posi- 
tion. When  the  attack  starts  a  hissing  noise 
is  heard;  this  latter  is  one  of  the  indica- 
tions that  may  be  evident  at  night. 

Helmets 

Each  man  on  duty  in  the  trenches  is  pro- 
vided with  two  smoke  helmets,  specially  de- 
vised and  constructed  so  as  to  absorb  the 
gas  and  neutralize  its  effect,  and  which  if 
properly  cared  for  and  used  will  provide 
complete  protection  from  any  substance 
likely  to  be  used  by  the  enemy.  They  are 
fitted  with  a  valve  tube  through  which  to 
breathe  and  with  goggles  to  see  through. 
There  are  certain  rules  prescribed  for  their 
care  and  use. 

1.  They  must  not  be  removed  from  the 
protective  covering  except  for  actual  use 
against  an  attack. 


122     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

2.  When  the  helmet  has  been  used  once 
it  should  be  replaced  by  a  new  one. 

Dummy  Helmets 

Dummy  gas  helmets  will  be  provided  in 
each  organization  by  which  the  men  may 
be  practiced  in  putting  them  on.  The  men 
must  be  thoroughly  drilled  in  the  methods 
to  be  employed. 

The  following  directions  accompany  the 


Plate  40a. — Gas  helmet. 


GAS  WARFARE  123 

helmets  issued  to  the  British  Army.  When 
our  helmets  are  issued  it  is  probable  that 
each  will  be  accompanied  by  a  complete  set 
of  rules  for  its  use  and  full  instructions  for 
the  method  of  getting  into  it  and  for  its 
care  and  preservation. 

Direction  for  Use  and  Care  of  Tube 

Helmets 

Description 

These  helmets  are  the  same  as  the  smoke 
helmet  already  issued,  except  that  stronger 
chemicals  are  added  and  a  tube  valve  pro- 
vided through  which  to  breathe  out.  The 
tube  valve  makes  the  helmet  cooler  and 
saves  chemicals  from  being  afifected  by  the 
breath.  The  wearer  cannot  breathe  in 
through  the  tube  valve ;  this  is  intended  for 
breathing  out  only. 

Directions  for  Use 

Remove  paper  cap  from  mouthpiece  of 
tube  valve.  Remove  service  cap.  Pull  hel- 
met over  head.  Adjust  so  that  goggles  are 
over  eyes.  Tuck  in  skirt  of  helmet  under 
coat  collar  and  button  coat  so  as  to  close 
in  skirt  of  helmet.  Hold  the  tube  lightly 
in  lips  or  teeth  like  stem  of  pipe,  so  as  to 


124     ELEMENTS  OF  TRKNCH  WARFARE 


be  able  to  breathe  in  past  it  and  out 
through  it. 

Breathe  in  through  mouth  and  nose,  using 
the  air  inside  the  helmet.  Breathe  out 
through  tube  only. 

Directions  for  Care  of  Tube  Helmet 

1.  Do  not  remove  the  hehnet  from  its 
waterproof  case  except  to  use  for  protection 
against  gas. 

2.  Never  use  your  tube  helmet  for  prac- 
tice or  drill.  Special  helmets  are  kept  in 
each  company  for  instruction  only. 

Should  the  goggles  become  misty  during 
use  they  can  be  cleared  by  rubbing  them 
gently  against  the  forehead. 

When  lacrimatory  gases  are  used  goggles 
affording  mechanical  protection  may  be 
worn,  as  these  gases  are  not  likely  to  irri- 
tate the  lungs,  though  they  sometimes  pro- 
duce sickness. 

Improvised  Methods 

If  a  soldier  does  not  possess  one  of  the 
official  pattern  respirators,  the  following 
measures  will  be  found  useful : 

1.  Wet  and  wring  out  any  woolen  article, 
such  as  a  stocking  or  muffler,  so  as  to  form 


GAS  WARFARE 


125 


a  thick  pad  large  enough  to  cover  the  nose 
and  mouth,  and  press  firmly  over  both. 

2.  Place  in  a  scarf,  stocking  or  handker- 
chief, a  pad  of  about  three  handfuls  of 
earth,  preferably  damp,  and  tie  it  firmly 
over  the  mouth  and  nose. 

3.  A  wet  cloth  pulled  down  over  the  eyes 
will  be  found  useful  as  additional  protec- 
tion, especially  against  certain  gases  other 
than  chlorine  or  when  the  gas  is  too  strong 
for  the  ordinary  respirator. 

^4.  A  stocking,  wetted  with  water  and 
soda  solution  or  tea,  folded  into  eight  folds 
and  firmly  held  or  tied  over  the  nose. 

5.  A  sock  folded  fourfold  similarly  wet- 
ted and  held  or  tied.  If  the  sock  or  com- 
forter has  been  soaked  in  soda  solution  it 
will  still  act  efficiently  when  dry,  though  if 
possible,  it  should  be  moist.  The  spare 
tapes  from  puttees  may  be  used  for  tying 
on  the  sock. 

6.  Any  loose  fabric,  such  as  a  sock,  sand- 
bag, woolen  scarf  or  comforter,  soaked  in 
urine,  then  wrung  out  to  allow  of  free 
breathing  and  tied  tightly  over  the  nose 
and  mouth. 

In  the  absence  of  any  other  cloths,  the 


126     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


flannel  waistbands  issued  for  winter  use 
could  be  used  for  this  purpose. 

Knapsack  Sprayers 

Knapsack  sprayers  are  issued  for  use  to 
clear  gases  out  of  the  trenches  after  the 
cloud  has  blown  over.  A  man  with  the 
sprayer  on  his  back  (and  wearing  his  smoke 
helmet)  slowly  traverses  the  trench,  work- 
ing the  spray.  If  this  is  not  done  the  heavy 
poisonous  gas  may  linger  in  the  trench  for 
days  and  be  a  source  of  great  danger. 

If  supports  or  reinforcements  enter  a 
trench  charged  with  gas,  they  should  be 
preceded  by  a  man  using  a  sprayer. 

Sprayers  are  charged  with  sodium 
thiosulphate — more  commonly  known  as 
''hypo" — 6  pounds  being  dissolved  in  a 
bucket  of  water  and  a  handful  of  ordinary 
washing  soda  added. 

Garden  syringes  and  buckets  may  be 
used  if  sprayers  are  not  available,  but  these 
are  not  so  effective.  Sprayers  should  be 
charged  before  they  are  taken  up  to  the 
trenches,  and  should  be  kept  ready  for  im- 
mediate use. 

Every  officer  defending  a  trench  against 
an  enemy  gas  attack  should  endeavor  to 


GAS  WARFARE 


127 


collect  information  whenever  possible,  to 
be  sent  to  headquarters  through  the  usual 
channels.  Particularly  valuable  is  the  cap- 
ture of  apparatus  used  by  the  enemy  either 
for  disseminating  gas  or  for  protection 
against  it.  If  a  shell  attack  is  made,  un- 
exploded  shells  or  portions  of  them  should 
be  sent  through  to  headquarters  at  once. 
The  time  of  day,  duration  of  attack,  color, 
taste  or  smell  of  gas  used,  effect  on  the 
eyes  breathing,  and  all  other  symptoms 
should  be  noted.  New  gases  may  be  used 
at'any  time,  and  speedy  information  greatly 
forwards  the  adoption  of  preventive  mea- 
sures. 


Chapter  X 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES 

Preparations  for  Entering  Trenches 

Preparing  to  enter  upon  a  period  of  ser- 
vice in  the  trenches  the  company  common- 
der  makes  a  complete  inspection  of  the 
company  which  includes : 

1.  Inspection  of  rifles  and  ammunition. 

2.  Inspection  of  equipment,  contents  of 
packs,  intrenching  tools,  field  glasses,  wire 
cutters,  first-aid  packets,  emergency  rations, 
gas  helmets  identification  tags,  canteens, 
clothing,  etc. 

3.  Canteens  to  be  filled  with  water. 

4.  Test  bayonets,  fix  and  unfix. 

5.  Have  company  fill  magazines. 

Inspection  of  Section 

The  company  commander  precedes  the 
company  into  the  trenches  and  makes  a 
tour  and  inspection  of  the  section  assigned, 
which  includes : 

1.  Layout  of  the  trenches:  fire  trench, 
supervision  trench,  communication  trenches, 
machine-gun  positions,  snipers'  positions, 
listening  and  observation  trenches,  dugouts, 
latrines,  etc. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  129 


2.  Locate  telephones,  reserve  ammuni- 
tion and  munitions  depots,  water  supply, 
gas  alarms,  tools  and  any  trench  accessories 
and  utilities  that  may  be  included  in  the 
section. 

3.  Get  any  information  of  the  enemy  that 
may  be  of  value  from  the  outgoing  com- 
pany commander. 

Tactical  Disposition 

The  company  commander  will  then  make 
his  tactical  dispositions.  In  occupying  the 
trenches  a  certain  section  of  the  line  is  as- 
signed to  each  company.  This  section  con- 
tains so  many  bays  of  the  trench.  The  fol- 
lowing dispositions  are  suggested  as  meet- 
ing the  requirements  under  our  organiza- 
tion : 

1.  The  company  is  organized  into  four 
platoons  of  four  squads  each. 

2.  The  section  of  the  line  assigned  to  the 
company  contains  eight  bays. 

3.  Support  No.  1  consists  of  the  first  and 
second  platoons. 

4.  Support  No.  2  consists  of  the  third 
and  fourth  platoons. 

5.  From  Support  No.  1 :  Two  squads  of 
the  first  platoon  occupy  bays  1  and  2 ;  two 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  131 

squads  of  the  second  platoon  occupy  bays 
3  and  4. 

6.  From  Support  No.  2 :  Two  squads  of 
the  third  platoon  occupy  bays  5  and  6 ;  two 
squads  of  the  fourth  platoon  occupy  bays 
7  and  8. 

7.  Each  squad  establishes  a  double  senti- 
nel post  in  the  bay  assigned  to  it  and  the 
remaining  members  go  into  the  squad  shel- 
ters just  in  rear  of  the  bays.  This  gives 
three  reliefs  for  a  double  sentinel  post  and 
allows  one  extra  man  to  be  utilized  as  ''run- 
ner," etc. 

8.  The  remainder  of  the  company  is  es- 
tablished in  the  company  dugouts. 

9.  Depending  upon  the  length  of  the 
tours  of  duty  of  the  company  in  the  first 
line  trenches,  the  squads  are  changed  ac- 
cording to  a  system  that  will  have  to  be 
varied  to  suit  the  occasion,  the  squads  in 
support  taking  their  place  in  the  fire 
trench  and  those  in  the  fire  trench  return- 
ing to  the  support. 

Going  Into  the  Trenches 

Platoons  enter  by  not  more  than  two 
squads  at  one  time,  thus  minimizing  the 
danger  from  shell  fire.    The  platoon  com- 


132     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

mander  will  explain  to  his  squad  leaders 
the  extent  of  trench  to  be  taken  over  and 
the  action  to  be  taken  in  case  they  are 
caught  under  shell  fire  or  rapid  fire  while 
going  up  to  the  trenches.  A  second  in  com- 
mand in  each  squad  will  be  designated,  so 
that  if  casualties  occur  among  the  squad 
leaders  the  relief  will  proceed  as  previously 
arranged. 

The  operation  will  proceed  in  silence. 
Rifles  must  be  carried  so  that  they  do  not 
show  over  the  parapet.  On  reaching  the 
fire  trench  the  men  of  the  first  relief  are 
posted  to  relieve  the  old  detail  and  each  man 
finds  out  any  points  that  may  be  useful  from 
his  predecessor  on  that  post. 

Information  to  be  Obtained 

The  platoon  commander  confers  with  the 
commander  of  the  outgoing  party  and  se- 
cures all  the  information  possible  about  the 
position  which  includes : 

1.  Behavior  of  enemy  during  period  pre- 
ceding relief,  and  any  point  in  their  line  re- 
quiring special  information,  e,  g.,  enemy 
may  have  cut  wire  as  though  preparing  to 
attack. 


Puts  42. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  133 

2.  Machine-gun  emplacement  may  be  sus- 
pected at  some  particular  point. 

3.  Anything  ascertained  by  patrols  about 
ground  between  firing  lines,  thus  avoiding 
unnnecessary  reconnaissance. 

4.  Any  standing  arrangements  for  patrols 
at  night,  including  point  at  which  wire  can 
best  be  passed,  ground  to  be  patrolled,  or 
place  where  they  can  lie  under  cover. 

5.  Any  parts  o£  trench  from  which  it  is 
not  safe  to  fire.  Such  positions  are  apt  to 
occur  in  winding  trenches,  and  are  not  al- 
ways recognizable  in  the  dark. 

6.  Special  features  of  trench,  recent  im- 
provements, work  not  completed,  dangerous 
points  (on  which  machine  guns  are  trained 
at  night),  useful  loopholes  for  observation. 

7.  Places  from  v/hich  food  and  water  can 
be  safely  obtained. 

8.  Amount  of  ammunition,  number  of 
picks,  shovels  and  empty  sandbags  in  that 
section  of  the  line. 

Information  on  these  points  cannot  al- 
ways be  given  properly  by  word  of  mouth. 
Written  notes  and  plans  should  therefore  be 
handed  over  to  a  platoon  commander  tak- 
ing over  for  the  first  time. 


134     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

Every  man  is  required  to  see  that  he  has 
a  good  firing  position  for  all  directions. 
Commanders  must  satisfy  themselves  that 
men  have  done  this,  and  report.  The  whole 
line  ''Stands  to  Arms''  during  the  hour  he- 
^       fore  dawn. 

After  dark,  unless  the  moon  is  bright, 
rifles  should  be  left  in  firing  position  on  the 
parapet.  All  men  not  on  sentry  should  keep 
rifles,  with  bayonets  fixed,  in  the  trench. 

Routine 

1.  Double  sentinel  posts  are  established 
in  each  bay.  They  are  on  post  one  hour  at 
a  time. 

2.  When  the  enemy's  trench-mortar  de- 
tachments are  active,  special  sentinels  will 
be  posted  to  give  notice  of  coming  bombs. 

3.  Every  man  in  the  platoon  is  to  know: 

(a)  The  location  of  the  platoon  reserve 
ammunition  and  munitions. 

(fe)  The  location  of  latrines. 

{c)  The  topography  of  the  trenches  in 
the  platoon  section  and  the  adjoining  sec- 
tions, including  the  approaches.  The  loca- 
tion of  the  accessory  defenses,  listening  and 
observation  posts,  machine-gun  positions. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  135 


snipers'  positions,  trench-mortar  positions, 
etc. 

(d)  The  tactical  disposition  in  the  sector 
and  the  general  disposition  of  the  company. 

(e)  The  location  of  loopholes. 

(/)  The  places  of  especial  danger  in  or- 
der that  he  may  stay  away  from  them. 

4.  Rifles  are  inspected  twice  daily.  Every 
precaution  is  taken  to  keep  the  rifle  and 
ammunition  free  from  mud. 

5.  There  is  a  gas  helmet  parade  daily. 

6.  Accurate  sketches  are  made  of  the 
trench  and  any  addition  or  alteration  en- 
tered on  them. 

7.  Loopholes  are  inspected  at  dusk. 

8.  Wire  entanglements  are  inspected  and 
repaired  under  cover  of  darkness. 

9.  A  log  of  events  hour  by  hour  should 
be  kept  which  shows  every  item  of  enemy 
activity  and  the  measures  taken  during  the 
tour  in  the  trenches.  This  will  be  a  valu- 
able reference  when  turning  the  trench  over 
and  will  make  a  record  of  the  habits  of  the 
enemy  that  may  be  most  valuable  as  a  guide 
for  making  plans  to  circumvent  him. 

10.  The  police  and  sanitation  of  the 
trenches  will  be  carefully  looked  after. 


136     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

11.  Platoon  commanders  may  divide  the 
tour  of  supervision  of  the  platoon  sector 
with  the  squad  leaders. 

12.  The  whole  company  stands  to  arms 
during  the  hour  before  dawn. 

Observation 

Observation  of  the  enemy's  line  should 
be  continuous.  The  observation  and  firing 
system  will  be  arranged  so  that  all  parts  of 


f  ^^^^  ^ 

Parapet 

PlflTB  4 J.  /  \  j| 

Plate  43. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  137 

the  enemy's  line  will  be  under  observation 
and  fire  at  all  times. 

Plate  42  shows  the  arrangement  in  gen- 
eral. The  appliances  for  carrying  it  out  are 
shown  in  Plates  43,  44  and  45. 

The  observation  is  conducted  through  a 
small  loophole  made  by  a  stick  through  the 
parapet  or  an  iron  tube  run  through  and 
directed  toward  the  point  to  be  observed. 
To  conceal  the  exit  a  few  tufts  of  earth 
and  -grass  are  placed  there  in  an  irregular 
manner.  Steel  loopholes  may  also  be  em- 
ployed for  observation  and  firing  purposes. 


Plate  44. — Observation  loophole  and  rifle  firing  rack. 


138     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

They  may  be  arranged  a  yard  or  two  apart, 
so  that  one  man  observing  through  one  can 
direct  his  mate  using  the  rifle  at  the  other 
so  that  he  may  bring  fire  to  bear  upon  any 
member  of  the  enemy's  force  that  exposes 
him.self  at  the  point  under  observation. 

The  loopholes,  both  observation  and  fir- 
ing, are  arranged  slantwise  in  the  parapet 
so  that  the  observer  does  not  look  straight 
to  his  front  nor  does  the  firer  fire  in  that 
direction. 

An  aiming  rack  constructed  so  as  to  re- 
sist the  recoil  of  the  rifle  and  not  derange 
its  aim  on  firing  may  be  arranged  near  the 
observation  loophole.  When  the  enemy  ex- 
poses himself  all  that  is  necessary  is  a  press 
on  the  trigger  and  the  bullet  goes  straight 
to  its  mark.  Such  an  aiming  rack  may  be 
easily  constructed,  as  shown  in  Plate  44. 

Observation  of  the  enemy  trenches  may 
also  be  effected  by  use  of  the  periscope  or, 
in  the  absence  of  one  of  these,  by  a  looking 
glass  in  a  slanted  position  fastened  to  a  stick 
planted  at  the  rear  wall  of  the  trench  and 
protruding  over  the  parapet,  to  reflect  his 
trenches.    (See  Plate  45.) 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  139 


Field  Glasses 

The  enemy's  trench  usually  appears  com- 
pletely deserted,  but  on  observing  it  through 
field  glasses  you  are  astonished  by  the  de- 
tails revealed.  You  will  see,  from  time  to 
time,  the  eye  of  the  enemy  observer  who 
shows  himself  at  the  loophole,  or  any  other 
activity  that  it  capable  of  being  observed 
from  the  outside.  The  observer  watching 
through  the  field  glasses  will  soon  become 
so  familiar  with  the  appearance  of  the  op- 
posing trenches  that  he  will  be  able  to  detect 
immediately  any  alteration  in  the  obstacles, 
or  changes  that  may  be  made,  such  as  the 
establishment  of  new  listening  or  observa- 
tion posts,  new  sap  heads,  machine-gun  em- 
placements, etc. 

Observers  are  charged  especially  with  de- 
tecting the  location  of  machine-gun  em- 
placements. The  examination  should  be  so 
complete  and  detailed  as  to  prevent  their 
existence  without  their  location  being  accu- 
rately known. 

Any  observations  of  enemy  activities,  of 
any  nature  whatever,  are  reported  imme- 
diately so  that  they  may  be  passed  on  to  the 
commander  whose  unit  is  manning  the 
trenches  directly  opposite  the  same. 


140     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Loopholes  should  be  screened  at  the  rear 
by  a  sandbag  split  and  hung  over  them. 
They  should  be  carefully  concealed  to  pre- 
vent their  location  being  discovered  by  the 
enemy.  There  must  be  no  alteration  in  the 
parapet  where  they  are  located. 


Plate  45. — Looking-glass  periscope. 


Plate  45a. — Trench  showing  wire  over- 
head cover  and  wire  trapdoor  obstacle. 
Machacoulis  gallery  in  background. 


142     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


Snipers 

The  enemy's  sojourn  in  the  trenches 
should  be  made  as  disagreeable  to  him.  as 
possible.  He  must  be  kept  continually  on 
the  alert.  Our  operations  must  be  made  a 
constant  menace  to  him.  It  is  in  this  way 
that  casualties  are  effected  and  he  is  grad- 
ually worn  out.  One  of  the  best  mediods 
of  accomplishing  all  of  the  above  is  the  em- 
ployment of  snipers,  who  are  specially  se- 
lected and  trained  in  this  branch  of  trench 
warfare. 

The  snipers  are  on  duty  all  day,  but  they 
have  their  nights  in  bed.  They  conduct 
their  operations  in  pairs  and  are  given  a 
definite  post  to  occupy  and  in  exceptional 
cases  may  be  given  a  roving  commission. 
The  advantage  of  having  the  same  men 
regularly  on  the  same  post  is  that  they  learn 
thoroughly  the  appearance  of  every  square 
foot  of  the  ground  included  in  their  area 
of  observation  and  are  able  immediately  to 
note  any  change  that  may  take  place.  They 
soon  learn  where  to  look  for  the  enemy  and 
in  fact  learn  the  habits,  etc.,  of  the  enemy 
occupying  their  sphere  of  obsen^ation. 

The  sniper  must  be  an  expert  in : 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  143 


1.  The  construction  of  loopholes  by  day 
and  by  night. 

2.  The  use  of  telescopic  sights,  field 
glasses,  periscopes  and  all  optical  contri- 
vances designed  for  observation  purposes. 

3.  The  selection  of  good  positions  for 
sniping. 

4.  Judging  distances  and  estimating  or 
measuring  ranges. 

5.  Rifle  firing.  He  should  be  an  expert 
rifleman  in  order  that  full  advantage  may 
be  taken  of  the  opportunities  to  inflict  losses 
on  the  enemy. 

6.  In  trench  warfare  each  pair  of  snipers 
will  be  required  to  report  each  evening  to 
the  company  commander  the  result  of  their 
day's  operations. 

What  to  Fire  At 

When  the  enemy  makes  his  attack  you 
will  generally  fire  at  those  who  appear  in 
the  sector  that  has  been  allotted  to  you  to 
cover.  You  may,  however,  abandon  your 
target  on  your  own  initiative  under  the  fol- 
lowing circumstances  and  fire : 

1.  On  officers  and  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers. These  can  be  recognized  by  their 
gestures.    They  are  generally  in  the  center 


i 


144    ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

of  groups  and  get  up  and  start  first.  They 
should  be  disabled,  as  this  is  the  surest  way 
of  breaking  up  the  attack. 

2.  At  a  group  on  the  move.  Fire  should 
be  concentrated  on  an  advancing  group. 
The  time  when  the  group  is  preparing  to 
start  its  rush  may  be  indicated  by  rifles  be- 
ing raised  and  the  movements  that  take 
place  along  the  line.  After  a  rush  has 
started,  look  out  for  the  late  comers  trying 
to  rejoin  their  comrades.  They  make  good 
targets. 

3.  When  the  enemy  attempts  to  build  up 
his  line  to  the  front  by  a  process  of  infil- 
tration, that  is,  by  having  single  men  crawl 
from  one  point  to  the  other,  each  man 
should  be  fired  on  during  his  advance. 

4.  Fire  will  be  immediately  concentrated 
on  any  machine  gun  that  comes  into  action. 
With  the  German  gun  prolonged  firing  heats 
the  water  in  the  jacket  to  the  boiling  point 
and  puffs  of  steam  are  given  off.  Do  not 
be  deceived  into  thinking  that  this  neces- 
sarily gives  away  the  position  of  the  gun, 
for  this  steam  has  been  piped  to  a  distant 
place  and  allowed  to  escape  so  as  to  draw 
fire  that  otherwise  might  be  directed  on  the 
real  position  of  the  gun. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  145 

5.  On  signallers  or  runners.    These  are 
i carrying  information  that  will  probably  be 
of  benefit  to  the  enemy's  commander.  You 
will  appreciate  the  necessity  of  preventing 
this. 

6.  On  an  enemy  showing  a  flank.  No 
opportunity  must  be  lost  to  fire  upon  an 
enemy  that  exposes  his  flank.  The  fire  of  a 
single  rifleman  down  the  flank  may  cause  a 
whole  line  to  retreat. 

Use  of  Rifle  Grenades 

Rifle  grenades  are  capable  of  causing 
more  losses  to  the  enemy  than  bombard- 
.  ment.  The  rifle  grenade  arrives  at  its  des- 
tination unexpectedly  without  any  noise; 
it  explodes  before  one  has  even  time  to  get 
out  of  the  way.  As  it  does  not  arrive  at 
fixed  hours  like  the  bombardment,  the 
enemy  cannot  continually  avoid  it  by  tak- 
ing refuge  in  his  dugouts  and  shelters ; 
when  he  is  moving  about  a  trench  which  is 
subject  to  rifle  grenading  he  must  be  con- 
tinually on  the  alert.  This  perpetual  men- 
ace, hour  in  and  hour  out,  day  in  and  day 
out,  renders  his  sojourn  in  the  trenches  ex- 
tremely disagreeable. 

'    Before  rifle  grenades  are  thrown  careful 


146     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

observation  of  the  opposing  trench  must 
have  been  made  to  determine  the  point 
where  the  grenade  is  likely  to  do  the  great- 
est damage. 

Rifles  are  placed  in  the  aiming  racks  and 
the  grenades  fired  from  time  to  time,  day 
and  night,  at  moments  when  it  seems  pro- 
pitious. In  this  way  a  sentinel  may  be 
taken  by  surprise ;  a  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer or  officer  may  be  caught  unawares. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  we  will 
probably  be  able  to  throw  twenty  grenades 
to  the  enemy's  one.  Advantage  should  al- 
ways be  taken  of  this  munitions  superiority. 
Every  man  of  the  enemy  we  can  put  out  of 
action  is  one  less  to  kill  us  in  the  advance 
which  will  eventually  come.  Sometimes  the 
enemy  will  try  to  reply.  Here  is  where  our 
munitions  superiority  comes  in  again.  We 
can  fairly  shower  him  with  grenades  and 
make  him  take  to  his  shelters. 

It  may  be  advisable  to  execute  a  sudden 
burst  of  grenade  fire.  This  is  started  by  a 
volley  and  followed  by  fire  at  will. 

When  the  artillery  has  destroyed  parts 
of  the  enemy's  trenches  or  makes  breaches 
in  his  obstacles  by  day  he  will  endeavor  to 
repair  them  at  night.    He  may  be  consider- 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  147 

ably  annoyed  and  losses  inflicted  upon  him 
by  a  well-directed  shower  of  rifle  grenades 
arriving  at  points  where  his  working  par- 
ties are  located.  To  make  this  effective  the 
rifle  racks  should  be  placed  in  position  and 
secured  during  the  day  after  trial  shots 
have  demonstrated  conclusively  the  direc- 
tion and  angle  for  them. 

Shelling 

You  will  be  impressed  by  the  shells,  espe- 
cially the  big  ones.  The  din  and  blast  of  the 
explosions  are,  to  say  the  least,  terrifying. 
But  you  will  soon  come  to  know  that  the 
shell  often  makes  more  noise  than  it  does 
harm  and  that,  after  a  terrific  bombard- 
ment, by  no  means  is  everybody  destroyed. 

HOW  TO  PROTECT  YOURSELF 
FROM  SHELLS 

The  big  shell,  which  is  so  appalling,  is 
only  really  dangerous  if  it  falls  on  the  place 
where  a  man  is  standing,  because  the  splin- 
ters rise  in  the  air.  Fall  down  flat  when 
the  shell  bursts.  Even  if  you  are  quite 
close,  there  is  comparatively  little  risk.  Get 
up  immediately  after  the  explosion,'  espe- 
cially if  you  are  200  to  300  yards  away 


148     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 


from  the  place  where  it  burst.  The  splin- 
ters do  not  fall  for  some  time  after  the 
explosion. 

The  steel  helmets  and  the  infantry  pack 
w\i[  furnish  considerable  protection  from 
shrapnel  fragments  and  balls. 

During  the  Combat 

The  safest  place  to  avoid  the  enemy's 
shell  fire  when  the  attack  has  been  launched 
is  close  up  to  the  enemy's  position,  where 
the  artillery  fire  has  to  cease  for  fear  of 
placing  shells  indiscriminately  in  his  own 
troops  and  ours.  Some  men,  completely 
distracted,  lie  down  with  their  face  to  the 
ground.  They  will  be  crushed  where  they 
lie.  Artillery  fire,  when  it  is  violent,  tends 
to  throw  the  ranks  into  confusion  and  dis- 
order. You  have  only  ears  for  the  roar  of 
the  approaching  shell.  You  slow  down  and 
attempt  to  seek  cover  where  there  is  no 
cover.  The  unit  breaks  up,  and  runs  wild 
or  stops  altogether.  Disorder  and  confu- 
sion means  massacre. 

March  strictly  in  place.  To  the  front  is 
your  safest  haven  of  refuge.  Get  hold  of 
the  frightened  ones  and  keep  them  in  place. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  149 


You  will  need  them  to  help  you  when  you 
reach  the  goal. 

In  the  Trenches 

Dugouts  with  strong  overhead  cover  are 
provided  for  your  protection  when  not  ac- 
tually required  to  man  the  trench.  In  some 
places  it  may  be  possible  to  dig  shelter 
caves  and  shore  up  the  roofs. 

Scouting  and  Patrolling 

Scouting  and  patrolling  to  the  front  is 
of  greatest  importance.  It  is  kept  up  both 
day  and  night.  The  units  occupying  the 
first  line  send  out  patrols  whenever  neces- 
sary. They  are  frequently  able  to  obtain 
valuable  information  and  at  the  same  time 
serve  to  counteract  the  enemy's  efforts  in 
this  direction. 

The  patrols  generally  consist  of  a  junior 

To  the  Reader:  You  will  find  a  wealth  of  infor- 
mation on  the  methods  to  be  employed  by  scouts 
and  patrols  m  a  little  book  similar  to  this  one  in 
size,  entitled  "Scouting  and  Patrolling,"  by  the 
author  of  this  volume.  Published  and  for  sale 
by  the  United  States  Infantry  Association,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  Price  50  cents,  by  mail,  postpaid. 
Get  your  copy  now  and  prepare  yourself  for  these 
important  duties. 


ISO     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

officer  or  non-commissioned  officer  and 
from  four  to  six  selected  men.  Their  op- 
erations are  conducted  in  accordance  with 
the  situation  and  the  mission  they  are 
sent  on. 

Hand  grenades  are  frequently  carried  for 
both  offensive  and  defensive  operations. 
Grenade  patrols  always  carry  them.  The 
operations  of  patrols  may  include : 

1.  Reconnaissance  of  sectors  of  the  ene- 
my's position  with  a  view  to  determining 
his  dispositions  and  arrangement  of  ob- 
stacles. 

2.  Making  sketches  of  positions. 

3.  Capturing  prisoners. 

4.  Opposing  enemy  patrols. 

5.  Harrassing  the  enemy. 

When  the  patrol  goes  out  every  man  in 
the  sector  of  the  firing  line  must  be  in- 
formed of  such  fact  and  the  possibility  of 
its  returning  through  his  post.  It  is  not 
sufficient  to  simply  notify  the  men  on  post 
at  the  time  the  patrol  goes  out,  as  a  man 
cannot  always  be  trusted  to  pass  the  infor- 
mation on  to  his  relief.  Word  should  be 
quietly  taken  along  the  line  by  the  non- 
commissioned officer  in  charge  of  the  relief 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  151 

in  person.  When  the  patrol  is  out,  special 
instructions  have  to  be  given  with  respect 
to  firing.  To  cease  firing  altogether  is  very 
undesirable.  It  arouses  the  enemy's  sus- 
piciong.  A  few  trustworthy  riflemen  are 
directed  to  fire  high  at  intervals.  No  lights 
are  sent  up  while  the  patrol  is  out. 

If  the  patrol  is  to  remain  stationary,  sim- 
ilar to  the  outguard  of  an  outpost,  com- 
munication may  be  maintained  by  means  of 
a  string,  spelling  out  the  messages  by  Morse 
code,  two  jerks  meaning  a  dash  and  one 
jerk  meaning  a  dot. 

Where  night  patrols  have  to  remain  out 
under  trying  conditions  special  dugouts 
should  be  reserved  where  they  can  rest 
upon  their  return. 

Care  of  Arms 

The  infantryman's  rifle  is  his  best  friend. 
The  personal  care  that  he  gives  to  it  is  in- 
dicative of  his  soldierness  and  discipline. 
Your  rifle  must  be  kept  in  prime  condition, 
otherwise  it  may  fail  you  at  a  critical  mo- 
ment. A  canvas  breech  cover  that  will  pro- 
tect the  bolt  and  magazine  mechanism  will 
be  found  a  great  advantage  when  the  rifle 
is  not  in  use.    Care  must  be  taken  to  ex- 


152     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

elude  mud  and  dirt  from  the  bolt  mechan- 
ism. Do  not  put  mud-covered  cartridges 
into  the  magazine.  Wipe  them  off  first. 
Arrange  a  proper  receptacle  near  your  post 
for  the  storage  of  your  reserve  ammunition. 
Be  careful  that  you  do  not  clog  the  muzzle 
of  the  rifle  with  mud  and  dirt.  If  fired  in 
this  condition  it  will  ruin  the  rifle.  Be  care-  \ 
ful  not  to  clog  up  the  sight  cover  with  mud. 
Oil  the  rifle  frequently  with  good  sperm 
oil.  Half  of  the  oilers  in  the  squad  should 
be  filled  with  oil  and  the  other  half  with 
Hoppe's  No.  9  Powder  Solvent. 

Rifles  must  be  carefully  inspected  daily 
by  platoon  commanders  and  the  men  re- 
quired to  work  on  them  during  the  periods 
off  post. 

Care  of  Trenches 

Repairs  will  have  to  be  made  daily.  The 
widening  of  trenches  in  the  making  of  re- 
pairs should  be  strictly  forbidden.  Under 
no  circumstances  must  they  be  altered  in 
any  manner  except  on  the  order  of  the 
company  commander. 

Platoon  commanders  will  go  over  every 
part  of  the  trench  several  times  daily  with 
the  squad  leaders  of  the  various  sections 
and  decide  upon  the  repairs  and  improve- 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  153 

ments  to  be  made.  A  complete  and  thor- 
ough police  will  be  made  prior  to  being  re- 
lieved. All  refuse  will  be  removed.  Fired 
cartridges  will  be  disposed  of,  as  they  might 
get  imbedded  in  the  trench  floor  and  hinder 
subsequent  digging. 

Each  squad  leader  will  be  held  strictly 
responsible  for  the  state  of  police  of  the 
section  of  trench  occupied  by  his  squad. 

Latrines 

Latrines  are  located  at  convenient  points 
in  the  trenches.  For  the  men  on  duty  in  the 
first  line,  they  are  generally  dug  to  the  flank 
of  a  connecting  trench  and  connected  there- 
with by  a  passageway.  Their  location  is 
plainly  marked. 

The  rules  of  sanitation  are  even  more 
strictly  observed  in  trenches  than  they  are 
in  soldier  camps.  The  trenches  and  pas- 
sageways must  not  under  any  circumstances 
be  defiled.  Latrines  should  be  kept  clean 
and  sanitary.  They  will  be  carefully  pro- 
tected from  flies.  The  free  use  of  chloride 
of  lime  daily  is  an  absolute  necessity. 

Maps 

^  A  complete  detailed  plan  of  our  own 
trenches  and  as  much  as  is  known  of  those 


154     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

of  the  enemy  opposite  should  be  made,  and 
be  available  for  study  and  to  refer  to  in 
making  reports.  Every  bay  of  the  trench 
should  be  numbered,  every  traverse  lettered. 
All  junction  points  of  fire  and  communicat- 
ing trenches,  all  dugouts,  all  posts,  mortar 
positions,  machine-guns  positions,  observa- 
tion posts,  and  any  points  that  it  may  ht 
necessary  to  refer  to  in  reports  should  be 
designated  by  numbers. 

Frost  Bite;  Chilled  Feet 
The  causes  are : 

1.  Prolonged  standing  in  cold  water  or 
liquid  mud. 

2.  Tight  boots  and  leggings,  that  inter- 
fere with  the  blood  circulation. 

Prevention 

1.  Before  going  into  the  trenches  wash 
the  feet  and  legs  and  dry  them  thoroughly. 
The  British  Army  has  an  issue  of  an  anti- 
freeze mixture  which  will  probably  be  is- 
sued to  our  troops  also.  The  feet  and  legs 
should  be  rubbed  with  it.  Put  on  perfectly 
dry  socks.  An  extra  pair  of  dry  socks 
should  be  carried. 

2.  During  the  period  of  service  in  the 


I 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  155 

trenches  the  feet  should  be  treated  in  this 
manner  from  time  to  time. 

3.  When  the  feet  are  cold,  hot  water  will 
not  be  used  for  washing  nor  will  they  be 
held  close  to  a  fire. 

4.  Rubber  boots  must  be  worn  only  in 
the  trenches.  On  no  account  must  they  be 
worn  while  on  reserve. 

Trench  Soldiers^  Creed 

To  be  of  the  greatest  effectiveness  in  the 
trench  every  soldier,  personally  and  collec- 
tively, must  be  able  to  adopt  the  following 
creed  and  live  up  to  it : 

1.  We  are  here  for  two  purposes,  to  do 
as  much  damage  as  possible  to  the  enemy 
an(J  to  hold  our  section  of  the  line  against 
all  attacks.  We  are  doing  everything  in 
our  power  to  accomplish  these  missions. 
We  realize  that  every  man  of  the  enemy 
confronting  us  that  is  not  placed  hors  de 
combat  will  be  there  ready  to  shoot  us  down 
when  the  assault  takes  place.  We  realize 
also  that  if  the  enemy  makes  a  lodgment  on 
our  section  of  the  line  that  it  endangers 
others  and  a  costly  counter  attack  may  be 
necessary.    We  will  hold  on. 

2.  With  the  means  at  hand  and  those  we 


156     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

are  able  to  devise  we  will  make  the  enemy's 
stay  in  his  trenches  as  uncomfortable  and 
disagreeable  as  possible.  All  of  our  utilities 
are  being  utilized  to  the  fullest  extent  and 
our  various  detachments  are  organized  and 
their  tactical  operations  are  conducted  with 
this  object  in  view. 

3.  We  have  done  everything  possible  to 
strengthen  our  line. 

4.  If,  despite  all  the  precautions  we  can 
take  and  the  hardest  fight  we  are  able  to 
make,  the  enemy  succeeds  in  eflFecting  a 
lodgment  on  our  section  of  the  line,  we  will 
meet  him  with  the  bayonet  and  fight  to  the 
last  drop  of  our  blood. 

5.  We  are  all  familiar  with  the  tactical 
dispositions  in  our  section  of  the  line.  Those 
of  us  on  the  flanks  connect  up  with  the 
platoons  to  our  right  and  left.  We  know 
the  route  to  company  and  battalion  head- 
quarters and  know  where  the  nearest  sup- 
port is  located.  We  know  the  position  of 
our  machine  guns  and  the  sector  they  cover. 
We  are  in  constant  communication  with  the 
observing  posts  that  cover  our  front,  and 
our  observing  posts  covering  the  other  pla- 
toons are  in  constant  communication  with 
them. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  157 

6.  We  know  the  firing  position  assigned 
to  us  and  are  familiar  with  the  use  to  be 
made  of  the  accessories  furnished  us.  We 
can  fire  over  the  parapet  at  the  foot  of  our 
wire  entanglements  to  repel  night  attack. 

7.  We  will  at  all  times  be  careful  about 
needlessly  exposing  ourselves.  We  appre- 
ciate the  fact  that  it  is  absolutely  stupid  to 
get  killed  or  wounded  in  the  trench  through 
negligence.  By  so  doing  one  has  served 
no  purpose  and  a  soldier  cannot  be  replaced. 
Our  leaders  have  warned  us  of  the  espe- 
cially dangerous  places.  We  know  where 
they  are  and  avoid  them  except  when  our 
presence  there  is  necessary  as  a  matter  of 
duty. 

8.  The  sections  of  the  enemy's  line  that 
we  are  to  cover  with  our  fire  have  all  been 
pointed  out  and  each  of  us  is  familiar  with 
same.  We  have  located  the  enemy's  loop- 
holes and  are  doing  our  best  to  keep  them 
under  fire. 

9.  We  know  our  way  and  move  noise- 
lessly about  the  trenches.  When  we  enter 
and  leave  it  is  with  absolute  silence. 

10.  We  are  doing  our  utmost  to  collect 
information  about  the  enemy,  his  defenses, 
his  activity,  his  movements,  and  especially 


158     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

his  night  operations.  All  of  this  informa- 
tion we  transmit  immediately  to  the  platoon 
leader. 

11.  We  know  the  best  way  to  get  over 
our  parapet  to  reach  the  enem^. 

12.  Our  appliances  for  protection  from 
gas  attacks  are  complete  and  ready  for  in- 
stant use.  We  have  our  helmets  on  our 
persons  ready  to  put  on.  We  are  familiar 
with  their  use  and  have  confidence  in  their 
effectiveness.  We  will  wait  for  the  signal 
to  don  our  gas  helmets  (signal  is  usually 
made  by  beating  a  gong,  and  care  must  be 
taken  to  follow  exactly  the  directions  for 
putting  on  the  gas  helmets ;  carelessness 
may  mean  your  disablement). 

13.  Our  trenches  are  drained  and  every 
precaution  is  being  taken  to  keep  the  drains 
and  sump  holes  in  condition  to  perform 
their  functions. 

14.  We  have  rendered  the  parapets  and 
shelters  throughout  our  sector  bullet-proof, 
and  effective  measures  are  being  taken  to 
prevent  them  from  caving  in. 

15.  We  are  keeping  our  trenches  sanitary 
and  clean ;  our  reserve  munitions  are  care- 
fully stored  in  their  proper  places  ready  for 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  159 

instant  use.  Refuse  is  always  placed  in  re- 
ceptacles when  it  can  be  carried  away.  We 
do  not  under  any  circumstances  litter  up 
our  trench  floor.  Our  empty  shells  are  col- 
lected and  sent  to  the  rear. 

16.  Our  rifles  are  our  best  friends.  We 
keep  them  clean,  well  oiled,  and  in  readiness 
for  instant  use.  Our  bayonets  we  have 
with  us  at  all  times  ready  to  be  placed  on 
the  rifle.  We  protect  our  rifle  ammunition 
from  the  mud,  as  we  realize  that  muddy 
cartridges  will  clog  the  breech  mechanism 
and  cause  mal-function. 

17.  We  are  taking  every  precaution  to 
prevent  ''trench  feet when  practicable  we 
take  off  our  shoes  and  rub  our  feet  for  15 
minutes  each  day.  We  do  not  wear  tight 
shoes  and  leggings  that  tend  to  interfere 
with  blood  circulation.  We  each  have  a 
pair  of  dry  socks  to  put  on.  We  do  not 
wear  rubber  boots  except  when  it  is  abso- 
lutely necessary. 

18.  We  observe  the  orders  regarding  the 
wearing  of  equipment. 

19.  We  do  not  drink  any  water  except 
that  from  aut»horized  sources.  We  replen- 
ish our  canteens  whenever  practicable. 


160     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

In  addition  to  the  above  the  platoon  com- 
mander must  be  able  to  adopt  the  follow- 
ing and  live  up  to  them : 

1.  My  sentries  are  posted  in  the  proper 
places.  They  are  posted  by  noncommis- 
sioned officers.  They  have  the  proper  or- 
ders. No  man  is  ever  on  duty  more  than 
one  hour  at  a  time.  I  visit  them  at  fre- 
quent intervals. 

2.  I  have  a  runner  ready  to  carry  a  mes- 
sage to  company  headquarters.  I  realize 
that  any  information  of  the  enemy  that  I 
may  secure  may  be  of  great  importance  at 
regimental  and  other  headquarters.  I  will 
therefore  send  it  back  with  the  utmost  dis- 
patch. 

3.  I  am  familiar  with  the  methods  of 
communicating  with  the  artillery,  of  giving 
them  information  and  of  asking  them  for 
support. 

4.  My  patrols  operating  to  the  front  at 
night  have  been  properly  instructed  and  are 
doing  their  duty  effectively.  All  sentries 
in  the  trench  have  been  notified  when  they 
are  out  and  cautioned  to  look  out  for  their 
return. 


SERVICE  IN  THE  TRENCHES  161 

5.  I  have  given  complete  and  detailed  in- 
struction covering  what  to  do  in  case  of  . 
gas  attacks  and  the  sending  out  of  the 
S.  O.  S.  signal.  I  have  gas  and  attack  mes- 
sages already  prepared  and  ready  to  send 
after  inserting  the  time  and  place  in  them. 

6.  I  know  the  naame  of  every  man  in  my 
platoon  and  they  all  know  me. 

7.  I  am  here  to  inflict  as  much  damage 
as  possible  on  the  enemy  and  to  hold  my 
part  of  the  line.    /  will  do  it! 


V 


Chapter  XI 


THE  ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WAR- 
FARE 

Objectives 

The  objectives  which  must  be  dealt  with 
in  the  attack  of  an  intrenched  position  such 
as  will  be  found  on  the  western  front  are : 

1.  The  trenches  of  the  first  line. 

2.  The  supporting  points. 

3.  The  trenches  of  the  second  line. 

By  a  study  of  the  text  preceding  this  you 
must  realize  that  in  the  defense  of  these  ob- 
jectives there  will  be  employed  artillery, 
rifles,  grenades  and  machine  guns. 

Artillery  Preparation 

The  first  phase  of  the  attack  is  the  artil- 
lery preparation.  In  order  that  the  infantry 
may  make  the  attack  with  a  minimum  of 
losses,  the  artillery  must  have  destroyed 
the  wire  entanglements  and  obstacles  that 
obstruct  the  advance,  or  at  least  have  suffi- 
ciently breached  them  to  permit  their  being 
negotiated.  The  destruction  of  these  ob- 
stacles is  never  complete.  It  would  require 
too  great  an  expenditure  of  ammunition. 
The  infantry  occupying  the  hostile  trenches 

162 


ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WARFARE  163 

must  be  simply  overwhelmed  with  artillery 
fire  so  that  they  will  be  unable  to  man  the 
parapets  when  the  assault  is  launched.  Dur- 
ing the  artillery  preparation  the  hostile  in- 
fantry does  not  occupy  their  firing  positions 
in  the  trenches  but  remain  in  their  dugouts, 
which  are  fully  protected  from  all  but  the 
heaviest  shells.  Only  a  few  observers  are 
left  in  the  trenches. 

When  the  bombardment  against  this  par- 
ticular part  of  the  line  ceases  the  infantry 
leave  their  dugouts  and  man  the  firing  posi- 
tions. To  prevent  this  is  one  of  the  most 
important  as  well  as  most  difficult  tasks  of 
the  artillery.  This  may  be  effected  by  a 
well-directed  fire  on  the  exits  to  the  dugouts 
with  a  view  to  caving  them  in  and  thus  pre- 
venting the  egress  of  the  occupants.  The 
enemy  may  sometimes  be  induced  to  leave 
his  shelter  prematurely  by  the  following 
ruse : 

1.  Cease  the  artillery  fire. 

2.  Open  a  heavy  rifle  fire ;  this  causes  the 
enemy  to  believe  that  the  assault  has  begun 
and  he  will  man  his  parapets  in  strength. 

3.  After  waiting  for  several  minutes  open 
the  artillery  again  with  even  increased  vigor. 

The  hostile  infantry  may  be  forced  out 


164    ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

of  his  dugouts  by  the  use  of  shells  and 
grenades  containing  suffocating  gases  which 
penetrate  the  shelters  and  make  them  un- 
tenable. 

The  artillery  is  also  charged  with  putting 
the  enemy's  artillery  out  of  action  to  pre- 
vent them  from  firing  upon  the  attacking 
infantry. 

If  the  enemy  artillery  is  left  free,  it  will 
shell  our  trenches  and  approaches,  causing 
casualties  and  confusion  and  thus  interfer- 
ing with  the  formation  for  the  attack.  The 
location  of  hostile  batteries  is  efifected  by 
aerial  reconnaissance. 

Another  task  of  the  artillery  is  to  pre- 
vent the  hostile  reserves  from  coming  up  to 
reinforce  their  firing  lines.  These  reserves 
will  be  located  back  in  the  second  line  until 
their  presence  is  required  at  the  front.  As 
long  as  the  artillery  preparation  continues 
they  remain  in  the  shelters,  but  as  soon  as 
it  ceases  they  man  the  trenches.  The  artil- 
lery must  therefore  extend  its  fire  to  the 
second  line  and  continue  it  while  the  first 
line  is  being  rushed.  Back  of  the  second 
position  the  enemy  holds  strong  reserves. 
The  entrance  of  these  into  action  must  be 
prevented.   This  is  accomplished  by  extend- 


ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WARFARE  165 

ing  the  curtain  of  fire  still  further  to  the 
rear.  The  supporting  points  must  receive 
a  lion's  share  of  attention  for,  bristling  with 
machine  guns  and  trench  mortars,  they  are 
the  really  dangerous  elements  to  the  in- 
fantry attack  after  it  passes  the  first  line 
trenches. 

The  weapon  which  inflicts  the  greatest 
losses  on  the  assaulting  infantry  is  the  ma- 
chine gun,  which  appears  suddenly  out  of 
the  ground  and  lays  low  whole  units.  By 
a  careful  reconnaissance  these  machine-gun 
positions  are  ferreted  out  and  every  pos- 
sible means  are  taken  to  effect  their  destruc- 
tion. 

The  effectiveness  of  the  artillery  prepara- 
tion depends  simply  upon  superiority  of 
guns  and  munitions.  In  this  respect  we 
now  possess  a  great  advantage,  for  the  state 
of  our  munition  supply  is  such  that  our  ar- 
tillery may  fire  several  shells  to  one  of  the 
enemy.  This  is  what  established  the  su- 
periority. 

Organization  of  Infantry  Attack 

The  organization  of  the  attacking  in- 
fantry corresponds  in  a  general  way  to  the 
organization  of  the  position  being  attacked. 


166     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

A  first  line  of  assault  is  organized.  Its  mis- 
sion is  the  capture  of  the  enemy's  first  line 
trenches.  A  second  line  follows,  having  for 
its  mission  the  assault  and  capture  of  the 
second  line  trenches.  A  separate  organiza- 
tion of  these  two  lines  is  necessary  for  the 
reason  that  the  first  attacking  line  is  gen- 
erally so  disorganized  in  the  fighting  that 
it  no  longer  possesses  the  cohesion  neces- 
sary to  carry  it  through  to  the  second  line. 
It  has  been  found  necessary  to  launch  a 
comparatively  fresh  and  intact  force 
against  it. 

As  the  first  position  is  organized  into  sev- 
eral separate  lines  of  defense,  so  also  is  the 
firt  attacking  line  organized  and  launched 
in  two  or  more  waves,  those  in  rear  being 
in  the  nature  of  reinforcements  to  those  in 
front. 

Objectives 

Each  unit  of  the  attacking  line  is  as- 
signed a  distinct  objective.  Certain  units 
are  given  the  mission  of  attacking  the  sup- 
porting points  to  prevent  their  enfilading 
the  units  advancing  through  the  intervals 
between  them. 

The  main  efforts  are  made  along  the 
lines  between  the  supporting  points,  as  to 


ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WARFARE  167 

assault  the  latter  would  entail  a  casualty 
list  not  commensurate  with  the  results.  The 
effort  against  them  is  made  with  a  view  to 
neutralizing  their  effect.  If  the  attack  is 
successful  in  the  intervals,  the  supporting 
points  will  fall  as  a  result. 

The  waves  of  the  first  line  are  directed 
against  the  first  position,  the  second  against 
the  second  position.  The  reserves  held  un- 
der the  orders  of  the  division  commander 
are  employed  where  the  development  of  the 
situation  dictates. 

Further  tq  the  rear,  and  under  orders  of 
the  supreme  commander,  large  bodies  of 
reinforcements  are  held  ready  to  be  moved 
rapidly  to  points  where  progress  has  been 
made  to  such  an  extent  that  maneuver  op- 
erations are  practicable. 

Preparation  for  the  Assault 

Preparatory  to  the  assault,  numerous  saps 
(trenches)  are  run  out  to  the  front  from 
the  main  firing  trenches.  The  night  before 
the  attack,  a  parallel  is  broken  out  connect- 
ing the  sap  heads.  This  parallel  is  amply 
supplied  with  short  ladders  and  is  occupied 
by  the  companies  composing  the  first  wave 
of  the  attack.    The  saps  and  the  main 


168     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

trenches  are  also  filled  with  men  assigned 
to  the  following  waves,  who  will  move  into 
the  parallel  as  soon  as  the  first  wave  leaves 
it.  As  the  artillery  preparation  ceases,  the 
first  waves  rush  up  the  ladders  in  succes- 
sion and  move  out  to  the  assault. 

The  First  Wave 

As  the  artillery  preparation  against  the 
first  line  is  completed  and  the  curtain  of  fire 
shifted  far  into  the  enemy's  position,  the 
infantry  of  the  first  wave  emerges  from  the 
parallel  and  moves  out.  The  formation  and 
gait  depend  upon  the  distance  to  the  hostile 
trench.  If  the  artillery  preparation  has 
been  effective  and  the  distance  is  not  more 
than  100  yards,  it  is  expected  that  the  wave 
will  be  able  to  reach  the  fire  trench  without 
firing,  except  possibly  when  the  wire  is 
reached.  If  the  distance  is  much  greater 
than  100  yards,  it  is  necessary  to  cover  the 
advance  with  rifle  fire.  This  is  accom- 
plished by  a  line  of  skirmishers  deployed  at 
extended  intervals,  which  precedes  the  wave 
at  about  50  yards.  The  wave  starts  out  at 
a  walk,  carefully  aligned.  It  afterwards 
takes  up  the  double  time  and  advances  by 


ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WARFARE  169 


rushes  until  the  wire  entanglements  are 
reached. 

From  this  moment  the  period  of  the 
charge  and  individual  combat  begins.  The 
men  can  no  longer  be  kept  from  firing. 
Each  tries  to  protect  himself  with  his  rifle.- 
Each  man  locates  his  opening  in  the  wire 
through  which  he  is  to  go  and  makes  for  it. 
The  line  reforms  on  the  other  side.  With 
rifles  at  the  high  charge  (a  position  to  our 
old  head  parry,  but  slanting  slightly  upward 
from  right  to  left)  the  line  rushes  upon  the 
enemy.  Each  man  runs  straight  towards 
the  part  of  the  trench  in  front  of  him  and 
jumps  upon  the'parapet.  By  rifle  shots  and 
bayonet  thrusts  he  destroys  everything  in 
his  way.  Men  selected  in  advance  take 
charge  of  the  prisoners.  The  line  is  re- 
formed, lying  down  just  beyond  the  fire 
trench,  and  fire  is  opened  against  the  sec- 
ond line.  Men  are  positively  forbidden  to 
enter  the  communication  trenches.  They 
are  most  inviting  for  cover,  but  a  man  rarely 
gets  out  of  them. 

The  grenadier  squad  proceed  to  their 
work  of  clearing  the  fire  and  communica- 
tion trenches. 


170  elements  of  trench  warfare 

The  Second  Wave 

The  second  wave  of  the  first  line  starts 
forward  at  the  moment  the  first  wave 
reaches  the  hostile  trenches.  If  it  starts 
sooner,  it  will  unite  with  the  first  at  the 
entanglement  and  become  involved  in  the 
fight  for  the  fire  trench.  It  yy'ill  be  broken 
up  prematurely  and  will  be  unable  to  take 
advantage  of  the  developments  of  the  fight 
of  the  first  wave.  The  reinforcement  by 
the  second  wave  and  the  disorganization 
produced  by  the  assault  lead  to  a  mixture 
of  units  in  the  trenches  of  the  first  position. 
Before  starting  out  to  the  assault  of  the 
next  trench  it  is  necessary  that  order  be 
restored.  When  this  is  accomplished  the 
attack  is  launched  against  the  second  line. 
In  front  of  the  supporting  points  the  com- 
bat rages.  The  men  are  barely  able  to  hold 
on  the  outer  edges.  In  the  interval  the  ad- 
vance has  reached  high  tide  and  has  ex- 
panded like  a  wave  and  stopped.  This  is  the 
limit  that  can  be  expected  of  the  first  line. 

Hasty  cover  is  prepared  and  advantage 
taken  of  such  cover  as  may  exist.  All  ele- 
ments of  the  attack  open  fire  on  the  second 
position. 


ATTACK  IN  TRENCH  WARFARE  171 


The  Second  Line 

Under  the  cover  of  these  operations  the 
second  line  has  come  up  in  a  series  of  three 
lines,  where  it  is  built  up  compact  at  the 
position  of  the  stopped  first  line.  From 
this  point  its  attack  against  the  enemy's  sec- 
ond line  is  launched.  The  lines  are  worked 
up  to  a  point  from  which  the  assault  is  to 
be  made,  and  when  the  time  comes  the  first 
wave  dashes  out  to  the  attack,  followed  by 
the  second  wave  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
assault  against  the  first  position  was  made. 

The  action  of  the  two  lines  of  attack  may 
be  expected  to  overwhelm  the  greater  part 
of  the  two  main  hostile  positions.  At  cer- 
tain points,  however,  the  resistance  will 
hold  out,  and,  if  not  overcome,  will  consti- 
tute points  of  support  to  which  the  enemy 
may  bring  up  reinforcements  and  even  turn 
the  tide  of  battle  by  a  counter  attack. 

To  deal  with  these  points  that  hold  out, 
as  well  as  with  hostile  reinforcements  which 
may  arrive,  the  reserve  is  launched  into  ac- 
tion, which  brings  the  attack  into  the  open 
ground  beyond  the  second  line  of  defense, 
and  maneuver  operations  are  begun.  The 
mobile  units  are  rapidly  thrown  into  action, 
and  large  forces  from  the  general  reserve 


172     ELEMENTS  OF  TRENCH  WARFARE 

are  hurried  to  the  point  where  the  lines  of 
defense  are  broken  through. 

From  what  has  gone  before  we  may  de- 
duce that  the  following  conditions  must  pre- 
vail to  attain  success  in  an  attack  on  a 
prepared  position: 

1.  The  attack  must  be  planned  down  to 
the  most  minute  detail. 

2.  There  must  be  a  greatly  superior  force 
of  artillery  concentrated  at  the  point  of  at- 
tack, and  the  artillery  preparation  must  be 
thorough. 

3.  The  infantry  must  be  sufficient  in  num- 
ber, training  and  morale  to  perform  the 
tasks  that  will  be  demanded  of  them. 

4.  The  arrangements  for  the  supply  of 
ammunition  to  the  firing  line  must  be 
planned  and  carried  out  in  all  its  details. 

5.  Plans  for  meeting  counter  attacks  must 
be  thorough  and  complete.  The  capture  of 
a  position  is  often  less  difficult  than  its  re- 
tention. 

6.  Finally,  every  officer  and  man  must 
know  exactly  what  he  is  to  do. 


Waldron 


BAYONET  TRAINING 


The  system  of  Bayonet  Training  stated 
herein  is  taken  from  the  provisional  Manual 
of  Bayonet  Training  of  the  British  Army. 
In  the  vernacular  of  the  day,  it  is  the  ''real 
dope/' 

Every  battalion  should  have  a  bayonet 
assault  practice  course  constructed  along 
the  lines  indicated  and  the  work  of  training 
should  be  systematically  conducted.  The 
noncommissioned  officers  should  be  taken 
out  on  a  ''Tactical  Walk"  on  the  course 
and  all  the  features  of  the  exercises  ex- 
plained. This  is  followed  by  their  practical 
training  over  the  course  and  this  in  turn 
is  followed  by  the  instruction  of  the  pri- 
vates of  the  organization. 

Features  of  the  Bayonet 

To  attack  with  the  bayonet  effectively 
requires  good  direction,  strength  and  quick- 
ness, during  a  state  of  wild  excitement  and 
probable  physical  exhaustion.  The  limit  of 
the  range  of  a  bayonet  is  about  5  feet 
(measured  from  the  opponent's  eyes)  but 
more  often  the  killing  is  at  close  quarters, 

175 


176 


BAYONET  TRAINING 


at  a  range  of  2  feet  or  less,  when  troops 
are  struggling  hand  to  hand  in  trenches  or 
darkness. 

The  bayonet  is  essentially  an  offensive 
weapon — go  straight  at  an  opponent  with 
the  point  threatening  his  throat  and  deliver 
the  point  wherever  an  opening  presents  it- 
self. If  no  opening  is  obvious,  one  must  be 
created  by  beating  off  the  opponents  weap- 
on or  making  a  ''feint  point''  in  order  to 
make  him  uncover  himself. 

Hand  to  hand  fighting  with  the  bayonet 
is  individual,  which  means  that  a  man  must 
think  and  act  for  himself  and  rely  on  his 
own  resources  and  skill;  but,  as  in  all 
games,  he  must  play  for  his  side  and  not 
only  for  himself.  In  a  bayonet  assault  all 
ranks  go  forward  to  kill  or  be  killed,  and 
only  those  who  have  developed  skill  and 
strength  by  constant  training  will  be  able 
to  kill. 

The  spirit  of  the  bayonet  must  be  incul- 
cated into  all  ranks  so  that  they  go  forward 
with  that  aggressive  determination  and  con- 
fidence of  superiority  born  of  continual 
practice,  without  which  a  bayonet  assault 
will  not  be  effective. 

The  technical  points  of  bayonet  fighting 


I 


BAYONET  TRAINING  177 

are  extremely  few  and  simple.  The  essence 
of  bayonet  training  is  continuity  of  prac- 
tice. 

Method  of  Carrying  out  Bayonet 
Training  and  Hints  to 
Instructors 

An  important  point  to  be  kept  in  mind 
in  Bayonet  Training  is  the  development  of 
the  individual  by  teaching  him  to  think  and 
act  for  himself.  The  simplest  means  of 
attaining  this  end  is  to  make  men  use  their 
brains  and  eyes  to  the  fullest  extent  by 
carrying  out  the  practices  so  far  as  possible, 
without  words  of  command,  i.  e.,  to  point 
at  a  shifting  target  as  soon  as  it  is  station- 
ary, to  parry  sticks,  etc.  The  class  should, 
whenever  possible,  work  in  pairs  and  act 
on  the  principle  of  ''master  and  teacher." 
This  proceedure  in  itself,  develops  individu- 
ality and  confidence.  Sharp  jerky  words 
of  command  which  tend  to  make  men  act 
mechanically,  should  be  omitted.  Rapidity 
of  movement  and  alertness  are  taught  by 
competition  in  fixing  and  unfixing  the  bay- 
onet and  by  other  such  quickening  move- 
ments. 


178 


BAYONET  TRAINING 


As  the  technique  of  bayonet  fighting  is 
so  simple,  long  detail  is  quite  unnecessary 
and  makes  the  work  monotonous.  All  in- 
structions should  be  carried  out  on  com- 
mon-sense lines.  It  should  seldom  be  neces- 
sary to  give  the  details  of  a  "point"  or 
*'parry''  more  than  two  or  three  times,  after 
which  the  class  should  acquire  the  correct 
positions  by  practice.  For  this  reason  a 
lesson  or  daily  practice  should  rarely  last 
more  than  half  an  hour.  Remember  that 
nothing  kills  interest  so  easily  as  monotony. 

The  spirit  of  the  bayonet  is  to  be  incul- 
cated by  describing  the  special  features  of 
bayonet  and  hand  to  hand  fighting.  The 
men  must  learn  to  practice  bayonet  fighting 
in  the  spirit  and  with  the  enthusiasm  that 
animates  them  when  training  for  their 
games,  and  to  look  upon  their  instructor 
as  a  trainer  and  helper.  Interest  in  the 
work  is  to  be  created  by  explaining  the  rea- 
sons for  the  various  positions,  the  method 
of  handling  the  rifle  and  bayonet  and  the 
uses  of  the  points.  Questions  should  be 
put  to  the  men  to  find  out  if  they  under- 
stand these  reasons.  When  men  realize  the 
object  of  their  work  they  naturally  take  a 
greater  interest  in  it. 


BAYONET  TRAINING 


179 


Progression  in  bayonet  training  is  regu- 
lated by  obtaining  first  correct  position  and 
good  direction,  then  quickness.  Strength 
is  the  outcome  of  continual  practice. 

In  order  to  encourage  dash  and  gradually 
strengthen  the  leg  muscles  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  training,  classes  should 
be  frequently  practiced  in  charging  short 
distances  over  the  bayonet  practice  courses. 

All  company  officers  and  noncommis- 
sioned officers  should  be  taught  how  to  in- 
struct in  bayonet  training  in  order  that  they 
may  be  able  to  teach  their  squads  and 
platoons  this  very  important  part  of  a  sol- 
dier's training,  which  must  be  regularly 
practiced  during  the  whole  of  his  service 
at  home,  and  during  his  periods  of  rest  be- 
hind the  firing-lines. 

The  greatest  care  should  be  taken  that 
the  object  representing  the  opponent  and 
its  support  should  be  incapable  of  injuring 
the  bayonet  or  butt.  Only  light  sticks  are 
to  be  used  for  parrying  practice. 

The  chief  causes  of  injury  to  the  bayonet 
'  are  insufficient  instruction,  in  the  bayonet 
training  lessons,  failure  to  withdraw  the 
bayonet  clear  of  the  dummy,  and  placing* 
the  dummies  on  hard,  unprepared  ground. 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


Formation. — Intervals  or  distances  are 
taken  as  prescribed  in  paragraphs  109  and 
111  I.  D.  R.  Bayonets  are  fixed,  paragraph 
95,  I.  D.  R. 

Technique  of  Instruction. — Before  re- 
quiring the  soldier  to  take  a  position  or 
execute  a  movement  for  the  first  time,  the 
instructor  should  show  him  the  position  or 
how  to  execute  the  movement,  stating  the 
essential  elements  and  explaining  the  pur- 
pose that  they  serve. 

Illustrate  the  position  or  movement  a 
second  time,  requiring  careful  observation 
so  that  the  men  will  be  taught  to  use  their 
eyes  and  brains  right  from  the  beginning. 

Now,  require  the  men  to  assume  the  posi- 
tion or  execute  the  movement  under  con- 
sideration. Accuracy  and  expertness  will 
be  developed  by  practice. 

Fatigue  and  exhaustion  should  be  care- 
fully guarded  against.  They  prevent  proper 
interest  being  taken  in  the  exercises  and 
delay  the  progress  of  the  instruction. 

The  training  consists  of  five  lessons  and 
the  Final  Assault  practice. 

180 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


181 


Lesson  No.  1 

The  First  lesson  is  divided  into : 

1.  The  position  of  Guard,  from  which 
the  various  bayonet  attacks  are  made. 

2.  The  position  of  High  Port,  which  is 
assumed  when  advancing. 

3.  The  Long  Point,  which  is  the  normal 
method  of  bayonet  attack. 

4.  The  Withdrawal,  which  follows  the 
attack. 

The  Position  of  GUARD 

Being  at  the  Order  Arms:  Raise  the 
piece  with  the  right  hand,  throw  it  to  the 
front.  Grasp  with  both  hands,  the  left  at 
a  convenient  place  above  the  rear  sight  so 
that  the  left  arm" is  only  slightly  bent;  right 
hand  at  the  small  of  the  stock  and  held 
just  in  front  of  the  navel.  The  rifle  is  held 
naturally  and  easily,  without  constraint, 
barrel  inclined  slightly  to  the  left.  At  the 
same  time  the  left  foot  is  carried  forward 
to  a  point  in  a  natural  position  such  as  a 
man  walking  might  adopt  on  meeting  with 
resistance.  The  left  knee  is  slightly  bent, 
right  leg  straight  and  braced.  The  right 
foot  is  flat  on  the  ground  with  the  toe  in- 
clined to  the  right  front. 


V 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


183 


The  common  faults  that  will  be  noted  in 
assuming  the  position  are: 

1.  The  body  will  be  leaned  back  from  the 
hips,  which  causes  unsteadiness  and  does 
not  permit  quick  and  aggressive  action. 

2.  The  left  arm  is  bent  too  much,  which 
raises  the  point  of  the  bayonet  too  high  and 
produces  a  certain  amount  of  constraint. 
The  left  hand  should  grasp  the  piece  at  such 
a  point  that  will  avoid  this  defect.  A  little 
practice  will  show  the  exact  place  to  hold 
the  hand  to  obtain  the  maximum  effect. 

3.  The  right  hand  may  be  held  too  low 
and  too  far  back,  which  has  the  effect  of 
raising  the  point  of  the  bayonet  and  giving 
a  faulty  position  to  the  left  arm  and  hand. 

4.  The  rifle  may  be  grasped  too  tightly 
with  the  hands,  which  produces  rigidity 
and  restrains  freedom  of  movement.  The 
left  hand  merely  guides  the  bayonet  in  the 
attack,  the  right  furnishes  the  power  be- 
hind the  thrust,  hence  great  care  should  be 
taken  to  see  that  the  left  arm  is  not  de- 
prived of  its  freedom  of  action  by  gripping 
the  rifle  too  hard  with  the  left  hand. 


184 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


The  Position  of  ''REST" 

The  feet  are  retained  at  the  position  of 
Guard.  The  piece  is  lowered  and  held  in 
the  easiest  and  most  comfortable  position. 

The  Position  of  HIGH  PORT 

Being  at  the  position  of  Guard.  Without 
changing  the  position  of  the  hands  on  the 
piece,  carry  the  rifle  so  that  the  left  wrist 
is  level  with  and  directly  in  front  of  the 
left  shoulder.  The  right  hand  is  level  with 
the  belt. 

Practice  will  be  had  at  the  position  of 
High  Port  with  the  right  hand  quitting  the 
piece,  it  being  held  approximately  in  posi- 
tion with  the  left  hand  alone.  This  will  be 
found  advantageous  when  jumping  ditches, 
climbing  out  of  trenches,  surmounting  ob- 
stacles, etc.,  leaving  the  right  hand  free. 

The  Position  of  LONG  POINT 

Being  at  the  position  of  Guard.  Thrust 
the  point  of  the  bayonet  vigorously  towards 
the  point  of  the  objective,  to  the  full  extent 
of  the  left  arm,  the  stock  running  along 
side  of  and  kept  close  to  the  right  inner 
fore  arm.    The  body  is  inclined  forward; 


BAYONET  LESSONS  185 

left  knee  well  bent;  right  leg  braced,  and 
weight  of  body  pressed  well  forw^ard  with 
the  sole  of  the  right  foot,  heel  raised.  The 
chief  power  in  the  Point  is  derived  from 
the  right  arm  with  the  weight  of  the  body 
behind  it,  the  left  arm  and  hand  being  em- 
ployed to  direct  the  point  of  the  bayonet 
at  the  objective. 

The  eyes  must  be  fixed  on  the  objective. 
In  making  the  point  other  than  straight  to 
the  front  the  left  foot  will  be  moved  later- 
ally in  the  direction  to  which  the  point  is 
made.  After  progress  has  been  made  in 
the  execution  of  the  simple  point  as  in- 
dicated above,  practice  should  include  step- 
ping forward  with  the  rear  foot  when  the 
assault  is  delivered. 

The  common  faults  in  the  execution  of 
the  Long  Point  will  be  noted  as  follows : 

1.  The  rifle  is  drawn  back  slightly  before 
delivering  the  point,  which  makes  for  a 
momentary  loss  of  time  that  may  give  an 
opponent  the  advantage  and  should  be  as- 
siduously guarded  against. 

2.  The  stock  of  the  piece  is  held  too 
high,  which  makes  the  guiding  of  the  point 

of  the  bayonet  with  the  left  hand  more 

.  \-  . 


POSITION  OF  GUARD 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


187 


difficult,  and  reduces  accuracy  in  delivering 
the  point  at  the  exact  spot  intended. 

3.  The  eyes  are  not  directed  on  the  point 
of  the  attack.  This  is  an  error.  One  that 
may  cause  a  man  to  miss  his  mark.  The 
soldier  must  realize  what  this  means  in 
hand  to  hand  fighting.  The  opponent  will 
get  him. 

4.  The  left  knee  is  not  sufficiently  bent, 
which  does  not  allow  the  point  to  be  made 
with  the  force  intended. 

5.  The  body  is  not  thrust  sufficiently  for- 
ward, which  reduces  just  that  much  the 
force  of  the  attack. 

6.  The  point  is  started  at  too  great  a  dis- 
tance from  the  objective  to  make  a  hit. 
Practice  must  be  conducted  in  making  the 
point  until  the  soldier  knows  the  exact  dis- 
tance at  which  he  will  have  to  start  to  pro- 
duce the  maximum  effect.  This  distance 
is  between  four  and  five  feet. 

During  the  later  stages  of  the  instruction 
the  men  should  also  be  taught  to  step  for- 
ward with  the  rear  foot  when  delivering 
the  point. 


188 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


The  WITHDRAWAL  After  A 
Long  Point 

Being  at  the  position  of  Long  Point.  To 
withdraw  the  bayonet.  Draw  the  piece 
straight  back  until  the  right  hand  is  well 
behind  the  hip.    Immediately  assume  the 


THE  WITHDRAWAL 


BAYONET  LESSONS 


189 


position  of  Guard.  If  the  leverage  or  prox- 
imity of  the  object  transfixed  with  the 
bayonet  renders  it  necessary,  prior  to  the 
withdrawal,  the  left  hand  is  slipped  up  close 
to  the  stacking  swivel. 

In  the  preliminary  instruction  all  Points 
will  be  immediately  followed  by  a  with- 
drawal, prior  to  assuming  the  position  of 
guard. 


PROGRESSION 

After  the  several  positions  hereinbefore 
described  have  been  learned,  the  Points 
should  be  made  at  a  definite  place  on  a  tar- 
get, such  as  the  throat,  the  stomach,  the 
head,  etc. 

As  progress  is  made,  the  pause  between 
the  point  and  the  withdrawal  is  shortened 
until  the  soldier  comes  directly  to  the  posi- 
tion of  Guard  from  the  point.  Proficiency 
will  finally  be  attained  in  making  a  "feint 
point''  at  one  part  of  the  target  and  the 
real  point  at  another,  for  example:  Feint 
at  the  head  and  point  at  the  right  thigh; 
feint  at  the  stomach  and  point  at  the  neck, 
etc. 

Attacks  at  a  retreating  foe  should  be 
made  against  the  kidneys,  the  position  of 
which  should  be  shown  to  the  soldier. 

Vulnerable  Parts  of  the  Body 

If  possible,  the  point  of  the  bayonet 
should  be  directed  against  the  opponents 
throat,  especially  in  hand  to  hand  fighting. 
The  point  of  the  bayonet  will  easily  enter 
and  make  a  fatal  wound  on  penetrating  a 
few  inches.    Other  and  more  or  less  ex- 


190 


PROGRESSION 


191 


posed  parts  are  the  face,  chest,  lower  abdo- 
men, thighs  and  the  region  of  the  kidneys 
when  the  back  is  turned.  Four  to  six  inches 
penetration  is  sufficient  to  incapacitate  and 
allow  for  a  quick  withdrawal,  whereas  if 
a  bayonet  is  driven  home  too  far  it  is  often 
impossible  to  withdraw  it. 

As  soon  as  the  nomenclature  of  the  posi- 
tions and  movements  are  learned  the  men 
should  work  in  pairs.  They  should  be 
practiced  in  pointing  in  various  directions. 
1.  At  the  opposite  man's  hand,  which  he 
places  in  various  positions  on  and  off  the 
body.  2.  At  thrusting  rings  tied  on  the 
end  of  a  stick. 

This  practice  is  conducted  without  word 
of  command,  so  that  the  eyes  and  brain 
may  be  trained. 

It  is  not  sufficient  that  a  dummy  be  mere- 
ly transfixed.  Some  particular  spot  on  the 
dummy  should  constitute  the  target.  Discs 
or  numbers  should  be  placed  on  the  dummy 
and  the  men  required  to  point  at  a  distance 
of  about  five  feet  from  it  and  later  as  they 
become  more  proficient,  to  point  after  ad~ 
vancing  several  paces.  The  advance  must 
be  made  in  a  practical  manner  and  the  point 
delivered  with  either  foot  to  the  front. 


192 


PROGRESSION 


The  rifle  must  never  be  drawn  back  when: 
making  a  Long  Point  in  a  forward  move- 
ment. The  impetus  of  the  body  and  the 
forward  stretching  of  the  arms  supply 
sufficient  force. 

The  bayonet  must  be  withdrawn  immedi- 
ately after  the  Point  has  been  delivered, 
and  a  forward  threatening  attitude  assumed 
by  the  side  of  or  beyond  the  dummy. 

To  guard  against  accidents  the  men  must 
be  at  least  five  feet  apart  and  the  bayonet 
scabbard  should  be  on  the  bayonet. 

The  principles  of  this  practice  should  be 
observed  when  pointing  at  dummies  in 
trenches,  standing  upright  on  the  ground 
or  suspended  from  gallows.  They .  should 
be  applied  at  first  slowly  and  deliberately. 
No  attempt  must  be  made  to  carry  out  the 
Final  Assault  Practice  until  the  men  have 
been  carefully  instructed  in  and  have  thor- 
oughly mastered  the  preliminary  lessons. 

Lesson  No.  2 

The  Parries 

Being  at  the  position  of  Guard:  The 
right  or  left  parry  is  executed  by  vigorously 
straightening  the  left  arm,  without  bending 


PROGRESSION 


193 


the  wrist  or  twisting  the  rifle  in  the  hand, 
and  forcing  the  piece  to  the  right  or  left 
far  enough  to  fend  off  the  adversary's 
weapon.  The  eyes  must  be  kept  on  the 
weapon  that  is  being  parried  and  not  on 
the  eyes  of  the  opponent  as  indicated  in  our 
bayonet  combat  training. 

The  common  faults  in  the  execution  of 
the  parries  consist  of: 

1.  Making  a  wide,  sweeping  parry,  with 
no  forward  movement  of  the  bayonet  or 
body  in  it. 

2.  The  eyes  are  taken  off  the  weapon 
that  is  being  parried. 

The  men  should  be  taught  to  regard  the 
parry  as  a  part  of  an  offensive  movement, 
namely  of  the  Point,  which  would  immedi- 
ately follow  it  in  actual  combat.  For  this 
reason,  as  soon  as  the  movements  of  the 
parries  have  been  learned  they  should  al- 
ways be  accompanied  by  a  slight  forward 
movement  of  the  body. 

Parries  will  be  practiced  with  the  right 
as  well  as  with  the  left  foot  forward,  pre- 
paratory to  the  practice  of  parrying  when 
advancing. 


194 


PROGRESSION 


Practice 

Men  when  learning  the  parries  should  be 
required  to  observe  the  movements  of  the 
rifle  carefully,  and  should  not  be  kept 
longer  at  this  practice  than  is  necessary  for 
them  to  understand  what  is  required,  that 
is  vigorous,  yet  controlled  action. 

The  men  work  in  pairs  with  scabbards 
on  the  bayonets,  one  man  pointing  with  the 
stick  and  the  other  parrying  it.  The  posi- 
tion of  guard  is  resumed  after  each  parry. 
At  first  this  practice  must  be  slow  and  de- 
liberate, without  being  allowed  to  become 
mechanical,  and  will  be  progressively  in- 
creased in  rapidity  and  vigor. 

Later  a  point  at  that  part  of  the  body 
indicated  by  the  opposite  man's  hand  should 
immediately  follow  the  parry,  and,  finally 
sticks  long  enough  to  represent  the  oppo- 
nents weapon  at  the  position  of  guaid 
should  be  attached  to  dummies  and  parried 
before  delivering  the  point.  (See  Targets.) 

The  men  must  be  taught  to  parry  points 
made  at  them: 

1.  By  an  enemy  in  a  trench  when  they 
are  themselves  on  the  parapet. 


PROGRESSION 


195 


2.  By  an  enemy  on  the  parapet  when  they 
are  on  the  trench. 

3.  When  both  are  fighting  on  the  same 
level  at  close  quarters  in  a  deep  trench. 

Lesson  No.  3 

The  Short  Point 

Being  at  the  position  of  Guard:  Shift 
the  left  hand  quickly  towards  the  muzzle 
and  draw  the  rifle  back  to  the  full  extent 
of  the  right  arm,  the  butt  either  upwards 
or  downwards,  according  as  a  low  point  or 
high  point  is  to  be  made.  Deliver  the  point 
vigorously  to  the  full  extent  of  the  left 
arm. 

The  short  point  is  used  at  a  range  of 
about  three  feet.  In  close  fighting  it  is  the 
natural  point  to  make  when  the  bayonet 
has  just  been  withdrawn  after  a  long  point. 
If  a  strong  withdrawal  is  necessary  the 
right  hand  should  be  slipped  above  the  back 
sight  after  the  short  point  has  been  made. 

By  placing  two  discs  on  a  dummy  the 
short  point  should  be  taught  in  conjunction 
with  the  long  point,  the  first  disc  being 
transfixed  with  the  latter  and  the  second 
with  the  former.    On  delivery  of  the  long 


PROGRESSION 


197 


point  if  the  left  foot  is  forward,  the  short 
point  would  take  place  with  the  right  foot 
forward  and  vice  versa. 

The  parries  should  be  practiced  from  the 
position  of  the  short  point. 

Lesson  No.  4 

The  Jab  or  Upward  Point 

Being  at  the  position  of  Short  Point: 
Shift  the  right  hand  up  the  rifle  and  grasp 
it  above  the  balance,  at  the  same  time  bring- 
ing the  piece  to  an  almost  vertical  position 
close  to  the  body.  From  this  position,  bend 
the  knees  and  jab  the  point  of  the  bayonet 
upwards  into  the  throat  or  under  the  chin 
of  the  opponent. 

The  common  faults  In  this  movement 
are : 

1.  The  rifle  is  drawn  backward  and  not 
held  sufficiently  upright. 

2.  The  rifle  is  grasped  too  low  with  the 
right  hand. 

From  the  position  of  Jab,  the  men  will 
be  practiced  in  fending  off  an  attack  made 
on  any  part  of  their  body  by  an  opponent. 


THE  JAB 


PROGRESSION 


199 


When  making  a  Jab  from  the  position  of 
guard,  the  right,  being  the  thrusting  hand, 
will  be  brought  up  first. 

The  Jab  can  be  employed  successfully  in 
close  quarter  fighting  in  narrow  trenches 
or  when  embraced  by  an  enemy. 


METHODS  OF  INJURING  AN 
OPPONENT 

It  should  be  impressed  upon  the  soldier 
that,  although  a  man's  point  has  missed,  or 
has  been  parried  or  his  bayonet  has  been 
broken,  he  can,  as  attacker,  still  maintain 
his  advantage  by  injuring  his  opponent  in 
one  of  the  following  ways : 

Butt  Strike  L  Swing  the  butt  up  at  the 
opponent's  crotch,  ribs,  forearm,  etc.,  using 
a  half  arm  blow  and  advancing  the  rear 
foot. 

This  is  essentially  a  half  arm  blow  from 
the  shoulder,  keeping  the  elbow  rigid.  It 
can  be  executed  only  w^hen  the  rifle  is 
grasped  at  the  small  of  the  stock. 

Butt  Strike  II.  If  the  opponent  jumps 
back  so  that  the  first  butt  strike  misses,  the 
rifle  will  come  into  a  horizontal  position 
over  the  left  shoulder,  butt  to  the  front. 
The  attacker  will  then  step  in  with  the  rear 
foot  and  dash  the  butt  into  his  opponent's 
face. 

Butt  Strike  III.  If  the  opponent  retires 
still  further  out  of  distance,  the  attacker 


200 


METHODS  OF  INJURING  AN  OPPONENT  201 

again  closes  up  and  slashes  his  bayonet 
down  on  his  opponent's  head  or  neck. 

Butt  Strike  IV.  If  the  point  is  beaten 
or  brought  down,  the  butt  can  be  used  effec- 
tively by  crashing  it  down  on  the  opponent's 
head  with  an  over-arm  blow,  advancing  the 
rear  foot.  When  the  opponent  is  out  of 
distance  Butt  Strike  III  can  again  be  used. 

In  individual  fighting  the  butt  can  also 
be  used  horizontally  against  the  opponent's 
ribs,  forearm,  etc.  This  method  is  im- 
possible in  trench  fighting  or  in  an  attack, 
owing  to  the  horizontal  sweep  of  the  bay- 
onet to  the  attacker's  left. 

The  men  must  be  impressed  with  the  fact 
that  the  butt  must  never  be  used  when  it  is 
possible  to  use  the  point  of  the  bayonet 
effectively. 

Butt  Strikes  can  be  used  only  under  cer- 
tain conditions  and  in  certain  positions.  If 
the  soldier  acquires  absolute  control  of  his 
weapon  under  these  conditions  he  will  be 
able  to  adapt  himself  to  all  other  phases  of 
close  in  fighting.  For  example,  when  a  man 
is  gripped  by  an  opponent,  so  that  neither 
the  point  nor  the  butt  can  be  used,  the  knee 
brought  up  against  the  crotch  or  the  heel 


202    METHODS  OF  INJURING  AN  OPPONENT 

stamped  on  the  instep  may  momentarily 
disable  him  and  make  him  release  his  hold. 
When  wrestling  the  opponent  may  be 
tripped  by  forcing  his  weight  on  to  one  leg 
and  then  kicking  that  leg  from  under  him. 
These  methods  will  only  temporarily  dis- 
able an  enemy,  who  must  be  killed  with  the 
bayonet. 

Practice 

When  the  men  have  been  shown  the 
methods  of  using  the  butt  and  the  knee, 
they  should  be  practiced  by  affixing  several 
discs  on  a  dummy  and  executing  combina- 
tion exercises  at  them.  For  example,  point 
at  one  disc,  use  the  knee  on  another  fixed 
low  down,  jab  at  a  third,  etc.  For  practice 
with  the  Butt,  light  dummies  should  be  used 
to  prevent  injury  to  the  piece. 


TACTICAL  APPLICATION  OF  THE 

BAYONET 

A  bayonet  assault  should  preferably  be 
made  under  cover  of  fire,  or  darkness  or  as 
a  surprise.  Under  these  circumstances  the 
prospect  of  success  is  greatest,  for  a  bay- 
onet is  useless  at  any  range  except  in  hand 
to  hand  fighting. 

The  bayonet  is  essentially  a  weapon  of 
offense  to  be  used  with  skill  and  vigor.  To 
await  an  opportunity  for  using  the  bayonet 
entails  defeat.  An  approaching  enemy  will 
simply  stand  out  of  bayonet  range  and  shoot 
down  the  defenders. 

In  an  assault  the  enemy  should  be  killed 
with  the  bayonet.  Firing  should  be  avoided. 
A  bullet  passing  through  an  opponent's 
body  may  kill  a  friend  who  happens  to  be 
in  the  line  of  fire. 

The  Bayonet  Assault 

Training  m  the  final  assault  is  conducted 
only  after  the  soldier  has  received  a  thor- 
ough course  of  instruction  in  the  prelimi- 
nary lessons  and  has  acquired  complete  con- 

203 


204      APPLICATION  OF  THE  BAYONET 

trol  over  his  weapons.  This  training  must 
approximate  as  nearly  as  possible  the  condi- 
tions of  actual  fighting.  Instructors  should 
endeavor  by  every  means  in  their  power  to 
arouse  the  interest  and  imagination  of  the 
men.  Each  problem  should  be  carefully  ex- 
plained beforehand  so  that  every  man  may 
have  a  complete  knowledge  of  just  exactly 
what  is  being  attempted.  Each  target  must 
be  regarded  as  an  armed  opponent  and  each 
line  of  targets  as  an  enemy  line,  attacking, 
defending  or  retiring,  to  be  disposed  of 
accordingly. 

Any  tendency  towards  carelessness  and 
slackness  must  be  corrected  at  once  and  all 
the  men  must  be  impressed  with  the  fact 
that  a  practice  assault  that  is  not  carried 
out  with  quickness,  vigor  and  determination 
is  worse  than  useless. 

Lack  of  imagination  or  lack  of  under- 
standing of  what  is  being  attempted,  lead- 
ing to  a  violation  of  the  principles  of  tactics 
in  practice  assaults  against  dummy  targets, 
can  only  lead  to  disaster  in  a  real  assault 
against  the  enemy. 

Nervous  tension,  due  to  the  anticipation 
of  an  attack,  the  advance  across  the  open 
and  the  final  dash  at  the  enemy  all  com- 


APPLICATION  OF  THE  BAYONET  205 

bine  to  tire  an  assaulting  party.  It  is  only 
by  their  physical  fitness  and  superior  skill 
with  the  bayonet  that  they  can  overcome  a 
comparatively  fresh  foe. 

Accuracy  in  directing  the  bayonet  when 
moving  rapidly  or  surmounting  obstacles; 
a  thrust  of  sufficient  force  to  penetrate 
clothing  and  equipment;  a  clean  with- 
drawal, which  requires  no  small  effort, 
especially  when  the  bayonet  is  fixed  by  a 
bone ;  are  all  of  the  greatest  importance. 

Method  of  Carrying  the  Rifle  with 
Bayonet  Fixed 

1.  A  quick,  short  advance.  Carry  the 
rifle  at  the  position  of  ''High  Port/'  This 
position  is  suitable  for  close  formations.  It 
minimizes  risks  of  accidents  when  sur- 
mounting obstacles.  It  can  be  maintained 
with  the  left  hand  alone,  allowing  a  free 
use  of  the  right  when  necessary. 

2.  Long  advance,  in  close  formation. 
Carry  the  rifle  slung  over  the  left  shoulder, 
barrel  perpendicular,  sling  to  the  front. 
This  allows  the  free  use  of  both  hands. 

3.  Long  advance,  in  open  order.  Carry 
the  rifle  at  the  "Trail." 


206    application  of  the  bayonet 

Teamwork 

The  importance  of  teamwork,  discipline, 
and  organized  control  throughout  the  con- 
duct of  the  bayonet  assault  cannot  be  too 
strongly  impressed  upon  the  men.  In  this, 
as  well  as  in  all  other  tactical  operations, 
success  can  only  be  achieved  through  the 
closest  cooperation  of  all  concerned.  While 
individual  initiative  is  to  be  encouraged,  it 
must  be  strictly  subordinated  to  the  will  of 
the  leader  of  the  assaulting  party.  The 
failure  of  an  enterprize  can  usually  be 
traced  to  the  lack  of  this  close  cooperation. 

The  Advance 

1.  All  members  of  the  attacking  party 
must  ''go  over  the  top,''  that  is,  leave  the 
trench,  or  rise  from  cover  simultaneously. 

2.  The  first  stage,  especially  of  a  long 
advance,  is  slow  and  steady — not  faster 
than  the  pace  of  the  slowest  man. 

Such  an  advance  has  a  decided  moral 
effect  on  the  enemy.  It  will  produce  the 
maximum  shock  at  the  moment  of  impact. 
It  allows  the  attacking  force  to  reach  its 
objective  without  undue  exhaustion.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  the  assault  is  allowed  to 


 :  .  -HJU^ 


APPLICATION  OF  THE  BAYONET  207 

develop  without  control  and  in  a  haphazard 
fashion,  the  moral  effect  of  the  steady  ad- 
vance of  a  resistless  wall  of  men  is  lost 
and  the  defenders  will  be  given  time  to  dis- 
pose of  their  opponents  in  detail. 

The  Charge 

The  actual  charge  will  not  be  delivered 
over  a  greater  distance  than  20  paces. 
Within  the  last  ten  paces  the  piece  will  be 
brought  to  the  position  of  guard.  The 
alignment  will  be  maintained  as  far  as  pos- 
sible until  actual  contact  is  gained. 

As  soon  as  a  position  is  carried  and 
prior  to  any  further  advance  or  any  other 
operation  whatsoever,  the  line  must  be  re- 
formed and  every  precaution  taken  against 
a  counter  attack.  In  Trench  Warfare,  the 
indiscriminate  pursuit  with  the  bayonet 
must  never  be  permitted  unless  orders  to 
that  effect  have  been  given  by  the  leaders 
of  the  assaulting  party.  The  attacking 
troops  are  not  so  fresh  as  the  enemy  and 
experience  has  shown  that  unorganized 
pursuit  is  exposed  to  ambuscades  and  ma- 
chine gun  fire.  In  most  cases  the  work  of 
immediate  pursuit  is  better  accomplished 
by  the  supporting  artillery  assisted  by  the 


208      APPLICATION  OF  THE  BAYONET 

rapid  fire  of  the  infantry  on  the  retreating 
enemy. 

Assault  Practice 

Throughout  the  period  of  training  the 
men,  the  men  should  be  constantly  practiced 
in: 

1.  The  recognized  method  of  carrying 
the  rifle  with  the  bayonet  fixed. 

2.  The  rapid  advance  out  of  deep 
trenches. 

3.  Teamwork  and  control  of  advancing 
line.    Fire  discipline,  direction  and  control. 

4.  The  art  of  using  the  bayonet  with 
effect  in  the  cramped  space  of  communica- 
tion and  fire  trenches. 

5.  Reforming  and  opening  fire  after  an 
assault. 

6.  Acting  as  leaders  of  an  attacking 
party. 


FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 

One  of  the  best  methods  of  training  a 
command  in  the  final  assault  is  to  construct 
a  section  of  trench,  forming  a  course,  over 
which  the  training  may  be  conducted.  The 
edges  of  the  trenches  should  be  protected 
by  logs  anchored  back  in  the  parapets  or 
solid  ground.  Constant  use  will  soon  wear 
them  down  if  this  precaution  is  not  taken. 
Cinders  placed  on  the  course  are  a  great 
advantage,  for  they  prevent  the  men  from 
slipping. 

When  dummy  targets  are  laid  on  the 
ground  or  on  parapets,  care  should  be  taken 
':o  see  that  the  earth  under  them  is  free 
from  stones,  otherwise  bayonets  will  be  in- 
jured when  the  thrust  penetrates  clear 
through  the  dummy  and  into  the  ground. 

For  this  practice  work  it  will  be  well  to 
select  the  bayonets  of  the  company  that 
are  most  worn  and  use  them  exclusively. 

Most  interesting  and  practical  problems 
in  the  tactics  of  trench  warfare  can  be 
solved  by  combining  the  assault  practice 
with  other  forms  of  training  such  as  the 
operations  of  grenadier  squads  in  clearing 

209 


210  FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


fire  trenches  and  communication  trenches; 
throwing  hand  grenades,  to  cover  the  as- 
sault; barricading  with  sandbags  and  the 
construction  of  trenches. 

The  illustration  herein  shows  a  type  of 
Final  Assault  Practice  course,  that  may  be 
prepared  with  a  minimum  expenditure  of 
labor  and  material.  It  occupies  a  space  of 
about  100  feet  in  width  and  may  be  of  vary- 
ing depth  according  to  the  elements  that  it 
is  desired  to  introduce.  A  platoon  of  four 
squads  with  the  squad  leaders  t^ken  out  of 
the  line  and  placed  in  rear  to  direct  their 
squads,  may  be  run  over  the  course  with 
safety  after  the  men  have  had  sufficient 
preliminary  training.  The  elements  of  this 
course  are: 

1.  A  line  of  traversed  type  of  fire  trench. 
There  being  four  bays,  18  feet  long  with 
6  foot  traverses.  This  trench  is  the  simple 
type  of  standing  trench  shown  in  the 
profile. 

2.  A  supervision  trench  located  parallel 
to  and  about  50  feet  in  rear  of  the  fire 
trench.  Profile  shown. 

3.  Communication  zigzags  from  the  su- 
pervision trench  to  the  fire  trench. 


FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE  211 

4.  Two  communication  zigzags  of  three 
legs  each  running  to  the  rear  from  the 
supervision  trench. 

5.  The  location  of  squad  dugouts  in  rear 
of  the  bays  of  the  fire  trench  and  platoon 
dugouts  just  in  rear  of  the  supervision 
trench  are  indicated.  It  is  not  necessary 
for  the  purposes  to  excavate  these.  The 
location  of  the  entrances  in  the  trenches 
should  be  indicated. 

The  starting  line  is  40  feet  in  front  of 
the  traversed  fire  trench.  This  may  be  a 
deep  trench  or  merely  a  line  as  desired. 
The  trench  gives  good  practice  for  the  men 
in  getting  out  of  a  fire  trench,  quickly  and 
forming  a  line  beyond.  The  whole  system 
of  trenches  should  be  constructed  on  ground 
that  can  be  easilv  drained. 

Accessories 

1.  Portable  gallows  for  the  suspension 
of  from  one  to  four  targets  are  constructed 
and  located  at  such  points  as  may  be  desired 
in  the  area  between  the  fire  trench  and  the 
supervision  trench  and  that  to  the  rear  of 
the  latter. 


I 


212  FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


2.  Shell  craters  may  be  excavated  in  the 
open  spaces  mentioned  above  in  which 
dummy  targets  may  be  placed. 

3.  Portable  Turk's  Head  may  be  con- 
structed and  placed  at  such  points  as  may 
be  desired  in  the  trenches  or  in  the  open 
spaces  above  ground. 

4.  Dummy  targets  may  be  placed  where- 
ever  desired. 


I 


FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


213 


TUflK'S  HERO. 


214  FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


215 


Targets 

Target  A.  Consists  of  a  portable  gal- 
lows having  one  dummy  target. 

Target  B.  Consists  of  a  portable  gal- 
lows having  two  or  more  dummy  targets. 

Target  C.  Consists  of  a  portable  gal- 
lows the  same  as  Target  A,  having  a  dummy 
target  with  the  stick  protruding  to  the  front 
to  represent  the  opponent's  bayonet. 

Target  D.  Consists  of  a  dummy  target 
to  lie  on  the  ground  or  rest  against  the  side 
wall  of  the  trench. 

Target  E.    Is  a  Turk's  Head. 


216  FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 


Construction  of  Gallows 

The  gallows  for  targets  A,  B,  and  C  is 
constructed  as  shown  in  the  plate.  Two 
standards  are  made  as  indicated  and  joined 
together  by  pieces  of  2x4  of  the  desired 
length  at  A  and  B.  For  Target  A  this 
length  should  be  about  6  feet;  for  Target 
B  at  least  5  feet  should  be  allowed  for  each 
dummy.  Where  more  than  two  targets  are 
hung  the  top  cross  piece  had  better  be  a 
4x4  instead  of  a  2x4. 


V/>cs  V  x  V'x8 


I O  belts  /•KlO- 

e  boiti 

i^belti  Vx  S' 


final  assault  practice  -  217 

Construction  of  Dummies 

The  dummy  may  consist  of  a  gunny  sack 
filled  with  straw  and  packed  tightly.  It 
may  be  an  old  uniform  stuffed  with  straw. 
A  more  elaborate  form  that  tends  to  hold 
the  bayonet  when  it  is  thrust  into  it  may 
be  made  as  follows : 

1.  Split  a  sack  along  the  side  and  across 
the  end  forming  a  manta.  Lay  it  on  the 
ground. 

2.  Place  a  layer  of  straw  about  20  inches 
wide  and  nearly  the  length  of  the  sack, 
allowing  a  few  inches  at  the  top  and  bottom 
for  folding  over.  Now  place  a  layer  of 
good  stiff  sod  on  the  straw.  Follow  this 
with  another  layer  of  straw.  Follow  this 
of  sod  and  straw  until  the  dummy  is  8  or 
10  inches  thick.  Then  put  a  one-quarter 
board  with  the  grain  up  and  down  on  top 
of  the  whole. 

3.  Fold  in  the  sides  and  top  tight  and  sew 
them  together  with  a  strong  twine  and  a 
baling  needle. 

4.  Run  a  strong  rope  around  the  outside 
edges,  turning  it  at  each  corner  to  make  a 
loop  by  which  the  dummy  may  be  hanged 
to  the  gallows. 


218  FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE 

For  those  dummies  that  are  to  sit  on  the 
ground  a  piece  of  2-inch  plank  placed 
across  the  bottom  before  the  sacking  is 
folded  and  sewed  will  form  a  good  base. 
On  these  the  rope  will  be  omitted. 

Construction  of  'Turk's  Head'" 

On  the  end  of  a  pole  about  six  feet  long 
place  a  ball  of  straw  about  9  inches  in 
diameter,  packed  tightly  in  gunny  sacking. 
Sharpen  the  other  end  of  the  pole  so  that 
it  may  be  stuck  in  the  ground. 

Construction  of  Parrying  Dummy 

Target 

Take  oiie  of  the  ordinary  dummies.  Put 
a  Turk's  Head  on  a  stick  about  4  feet  long 
and  nail  some  canvas  or  gunny  sacking  to 
the  other  end  so  that  the  edges  will  spread 
out.  Sew  the  canvas  to  a  point  on  the 
dummy  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  down 
the  front  and  suspend  it  from  the  top  with 
strong  ropes  attached  to  the  upper  corners 
of  the  dummy. 

Discs  ON  Target 
With  a  view  to  attaining  accuracy  in  the 


FINAL  ASSAULT  PRACTICE  219 

points,  cardboard  discs  about  3  inches  in 
diameter  should  be  placed  on  the  front  of 
the  dummies.  The  soldier  should  not  mere- 
ly try  to  hit  the  dummy  with  his  bayonet, 
but  he  should  endeavor  to  make  hits  on 
the  discs. 


EACH  DUMMY  MUST  BE  REGARDED  AS  AN 
ACTUAL    ARMED  OPPONENT 


EXERCISES 


The  exercises  that  may  be  devised  with 
this  equipment  are  of  an  infinite  variety, 
ranging  from  practice  runs  of  one  man  to 
each  bay  of  the  trench,  merely  going  into 
and  out  of  the  trenches,  to  an  entire  squad 
assaulting  each  bay  v^ith  targets  placed  all 
along  the  course. 

The  following  are  suggested  exercises: 

Exercise  1 

Number  of  men  to  make  the  run:  Four, 
one  at  each  bay. 

Targets:  No.-l.  One  Target  D,  half  ex- 
posed on  parapet  at  the  left  corner  of  Bay 
4  to  represent  a  man  firing  over  the  parapet. 

No.  2.    One  Target  D,  resting  against 
the  rear  wall  of  the  fire  trench  of  Bay  4, 
at  the  opening  of  the  dugout,  to  represent  a. 
man  just  emerging  from  the  squad  dugout. 

No.  3.  One  Target  A,  midway  between 
the  fire  trench  and  the  supervision  trench. 

No.  4.  One  Target  E,  in  supervision 
trench. 

221  - 


222 


EXERCISES 


No.  5.  One  Target  D,  in  supervision 
trench  at  the  entrance  to  the  communication 
trench. 

No.  6.  One  Target  D,  on  the  ground  to 
the  rear  of  the  supervision  trench.  Note. 
Targets  for  the  man  making  the  run  against 
Bay  4  are  stated.  Those  for  the  other  men 
making  the  run  are  similarly  located. 

The  Run 

The  method  of  making  the  run  will  be 
explained  for  the  man  making  the  run  at 
Bay  4.  The  other  men  proceed  in  a  similar 
manner. 

Being  in  the  prone  position  at  the  start- 
ing point  the  soldier  rises  quickly  to  his 
feet  and  advances  at  the  double  time  (not 
running)  towards  Target  No.  1,  the  piece 
being  carried  at  the  ''High  Port.''  When 
within  about  8  paces  of  Target  No.  1  the 
piece  is  brought  to  the  position  of  guard 
and  when  at  the  proper  distance  the  target 
is  attacked  with  a  vigorous  ''Long  Point." 
This  is  followed  by  a  clean  withdrawal. 

The  soldier  then  jumps  into  the  fire 
trench  and  attacks  Target  No.  2  or  attacks 
from  over  the  fire  trench  as  is  desired.  He 


EXERCISES 


223 


then  climbs  out  of  the  fire  trench  and  con- 
tinues his  advance  attacking  Target  No.  3 
with  a  Long  Point;  No.  4  with  a  Long 
Point ;  No.  5  with  a  Short  Point  and  No.  6 
with  a  Long  Point,  each  being  followed  by 
a  clean  withdrawal  of  the  bayonet. 

Exercise  2 

Number  of  men  to  make  run:  Two 
squads,  one  at  Bays  1  and  2,  and  the  other 
at  Bays  3  and  4. 

Targets:  The  targets  are  given  only  for 
the  four  men  making  the  run  against  Bay  4. 
Those  for  the  other  three  bays  are  similarly 
arranged. 

No.  1.  Four  Targets  D,  half  exposed 
on  parapet  of  bay  to  represent  men  firing 
over  the  parapet. 

No.  2.  Four  Targets  D,  lying  on  ground 
or  in  shell  crater  a  few  feet  in  rear  of  the 
bay. 

No.  3.  Four  Targets  A  or  C,  in  the 
open  area  about  midway  between  the  fire 
trench  and  the  supervision  trench. 

No.  4.  Four  Targets  D  in  the  bottom 
of  the  supervision  trench. 


224 


EXERCISES 


No.  5.  Four  Targets  E,  a  few  yards  in 
rear  of  the  supervision  trench. 

The  run  is  conducted  in  the  same  manner 
as  explained  for  Exercise  1.  Additional 
precautions  will  have  to  be  taken  to  prevent 
the  men  from  injuring  one  another  with 
their  bayonets. 

The  line  attacks  Target  No.  1.  The  men 
jump  over  the  fire  trench  landing  on  the 
parados  and  immediately  attack  Target 
No.  2.  The  line  passes  on  towards  Target 
No.  3,  jumping  all  trenches  encountered 
and  attack  Target  No.  3  with  a  parry  and 
a  point  if  Target  C  is  used  and  with  a  point 
if  Target  A  is  used.  The  line  then  goes 
into  the  supervision  trench  and  attacks 
Target  No.  4,  climbing  out  immediately  and 
advancing  on  Target  No.  5  which  is  at- 
tacked by  a  ^'Jsh,'' 

In  order  to  save  time  a  second  line  may 
be  started  from  the  starting  line  when  the 
first  has  passed  beyond  the  fire  trench  and 
towards  the  supervision  trench. 

After  the  men  have  been  taken  through 
a  thorough  course  of  training  in  the  in- 
dividual instruction,  problems  should  be 
devised  in  which  a  squad  assaults  a  section 


EXERCISES 


225 


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strength  of  the  platoon  being  as  many 
squads  as  can  be  employed  at  one  time  on 
the  front  of  the  section  of  trench  system 
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